Ecologist: A recent conservation initiative banned synthetic pesticides in the Northfield Nature Reserve to protect the declining local songbird population, which feeds primarily on ground beetles. Since synthetic pesticides are lethal to ground beetles, this ban will inevitably lead to a recovery in the reserve's songbird population.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the ecologist's argument depends?
- ASynthetic pesticides are the only environmental factor that posed any danger to wildlife in the Northfield Nature Reserve.
- BGround beetles in the reserve do not consume any plant species that were treated with synthetic pesticides.
- A shortage of ground beetles contributed to the decline of the songbird population in the Northfield Nature Reserve.Answer
- DIf the synthetic pesticide ban increases the ground beetle population, the reserve's songbird population will return completely to its historical peak.
- EAny nature reserve that experiences a recovery in its songbird population must have enacted a ban on synthetic pesticides.
Answer
The argument assumes that a shortage of ground beetles contributed to the decline of the songbird population in the Northfield Nature Reserve.
The conclusion asserts that banning pesticides will lead to a recovery in songbirds because it protects their main food source (ground beetles). For this conclusion to hold, the decline in songbirds must have been related to the scarcity of ground beetles. Negating the correct statement reveals that if beetle availability had nothing to do with the songbird decline, restoring beetles would not lead to a recovery, which refutes the conclusion.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Necessary Assumption identification via the Negation Test
Estimated Time:1m 0s