with a different producer. 3. Because of drought and many veld fires during the past year, the number of shrubs creased dramatically. a) Suggest how this will affect the numbers of other members of the food web. b) Is this disruption caused by natural or human factors? Explain your reasoning. 4. Caracals are often killed by poisoning. More caracals have been killed this past year, and numbers are very low. a) Suggest how this will affect the numbers of the other members of the food web. b) Is this disruption caused by natural or human factors? Explain your reasoning. 5. Because of a mysterious disease the number of baboons has dropped dramatically. a) Suggest how this will affect the numbers of other members of the food web. b) Is this disruption caused by natural or human factors? Explain your reasoning. 6. Good rains have caused large numbers of locust to arrive in the habitat. a) Suggest how this will affect the number of shrike. b) Farmers began spraying pesticides air to kill the locusts. Sugge how this will affect the numbers of other members of the foo web. c) Are these disruptions caused by natural or human factors? Explain your reasoning.

Let's analyze each of the scenarios presented in your questions step by step. ### 3. Drought and Veld Fires Affecting Shrubs **a)** The dramatic decrease in the number of shrubs due to drought and veld fires will have several effects on the food web: - **Herbivores**: Many herbivores that rely on shrubs for food will experience a decline in their food source, leading to a decrease in their population. This could include animals like antelope or smaller herbivores. - **Predators**: As herbivore populations decline, predators that rely on these herbivores for food (e.g., carnivores like lions or hyenas) will also see a decrease in their numbers due to lack of food. - **Plant Diversity**: The loss of shrubs may also affect the overall plant diversity in the ecosystem, which can further impact other species that depend on a variety of plants for food and habitat. **b)** This disruption is caused by **natural factors** (drought and veld fires). While human activities can exacerbate drought conditions (e.g., climate change), the immediate causes of drought and fires are natural phenomena. ### 4. Caracals Killed by Poisoning **a)** The increase in caracal deaths due to poisoning will affect the food web in the following ways: - **Prey Species**: Caracals are predators that help control the populations of their prey, such as rodents and small mammals. A decline in caracal numbers may lead to an increase in these prey species, which can result in overgrazing and depletion of vegetation. - **Other Predators**: If caracal populations decline significantly, other predators may also be affected due to changes in competition for food resources. **b)** This disruption is caused by **human factors**. The poisoning of caracals is a direct result of human actions, whether intentional or accidental, and is not a natural occurrence. ### 5. Mysterious Disease Affecting Baboons **a)** The dramatic drop in baboon numbers due to a mysterious disease will have several effects: - **Predators**: Predators that rely on baboons as a food source (e.g., leopards) may experience a decline in their population due to the reduced availability of food. - **Plant Life**: Baboons often play a role in seed dispersal. A decline in their population may affect the growth and distribution of certain plant species, which can have cascading effects on the ecosystem. **b)** The cause of this disruption is likely **natural factors**. Diseases can occur naturally within wildlife populations, although human influence on habitat and health can also play a role in disease emergence. ### 6. Good Rains and Locust Population Increase **a)** The arrival of large numbers of locusts due to good rains will likely have the following effects on shrike populations: - **Food Source**: Shrikes, which are insectivorous birds, may benefit from the increase in locusts as a food source, potentially leading to an increase in their population. - **Competition**: However, if locusts become too numerous, they may compete with other insects that shrikes also feed on, potentially leading to a decrease in those populations. **b)** The spraying of pesticides to kill locusts will have several effects: - **Non-target Species**: Pesticides can kill not only locusts but also other beneficial insects, which can disrupt the food web and lead to declines in species that rely on those insects for food. - **Predators**: If shrikes and other insectivores consume the poisoned locusts, they may also suffer from poisoning, leading to a decline in their populations. **c)** The disruptions caused by pesticide spraying are due to **human factors**. The use of pesticides is a direct human intervention in the ecosystem, aimed at controlling pest populations but often with unintended consequences for other species. In summary, the interactions within the food web are complex and can be influenced by both natural and human factors, leading to various ecological consequences.