A botanist observes a large population of a particular type of beetle eating the leaves of one tree but not the leaves of a nearby tree. What should the botanist do first to study the interaction of these organisms in the ecosystem?
Answer
A
Remove the beetle population from the tree, and study them in the lab.
B
Identify the species of the beetle and the species of both trees.
C
Determine why the beetle is eating one tree but not the other.
D
Recommend a treatment that will keep the beetles from eating the trees.