What are the potential ecological consequences of mutualism between plants and pollinators? Select 2 that apply.

Question

What are the potential ecological consequences of mutualism between plants and pollinators?  Select 2 that apply.

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks us to identify two potential ecological consequences of mutualism between plants and pollinators. 
Option 1: 'The pollinator supports high plant population growth.' This is a plausible consequence because pollinators enhance plant reproductive success by transferring pollen, which increases seed/set fruit production and can lead to higher plant population growth over time. It reflects the benefit to plants from effective pollination and aligns with classic mutualism dynamics where animal services boost plant reproduction. 
Option 2: 'The plant supports high pollinator populations in a region.' This is also a plausible consequence because plants provide nectar, pollen, and other resources that sustain pollinator communities. Abundant floral resources can support larger populations of pollinators locally, which in turn can influence pollination networks and community structure. 
Why these are correct in the mutualism context: mutualisms involve reciprocal benefits, so the animal (pollinator) gains food or resources from the plant, while the plant gains improved reproductive success due to pollination. When both partners receive benefits, each can experience population or community-level effects such as increased plant recruitment (Option 1) and growth or stability of pollinator populations (Option 2). 
Why other potential misinterpretations are avoided here: mutualism does not imply unlimited growth of all populations, and while dependence and ecological context matter, the two options accurately reflect common ecological consequences of plant–pollinator mutualisms, namely enhanced plant reproduction and enhanced pollinator resource availability. 
In summary, Option 1 describes how pollination benefits plant population growth, and Option 2 describes how plant resources sustain pollinator populations; together they capture the reciprocal, ecosystem-level outcomes characteristic of mutualistic interactions.

生物学 1001 (001-013) 第24课学习测验

What are the potential ecological consequences of mutualism between plants and pollinators? Select 2 that apply.

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