AAAS Science Assessment ^beta

The diagram below shows the feeding relationships between populations of organisms L, M, and N. The arrows point from the organisms being eaten to the organisms that eat them.

Using only the relationships between the populations of organisms shown in the diagram, if most of the Ls are killed, which of the following statements describes what will happen to the number of Ms and why?

1. The number of Ms will increase because there are fewer Ls to eat them.
2. The number of Ms will decrease because there are not enough Ls for them to eat.
3. The number of Ms will stay the same because the Ls are killed, not the Ms.
4. The number of Ms will stay the same because a change in the population of Ls will not affect any other population of organisms.