Read the passage about the ecological effects of gray wolves. Which word or phrase logically completes the text by establishing a cause-and-effect connection?
Answer:In 1995, the reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park initiated a trophic cascade that altered the local ecosystem. By preying on elk, the wolves reduced elk populations and changed their grazing habits, allowing willow and aspen trees along riverbanks to regenerate. 【consequently】 erosion decreased significantly, stabilizing the river channels and creating new habitats for beaver and fish species.
Answer
Consequently (or another cause-and-effect transition such as 'as a result', 'therefore', or 'thus')
The passage describes a sequence where the recovery of vegetation (willow and aspen trees) leads directly to the stabilization of soil and a decrease in erosion. Because the reduction in erosion is a direct consequence of the regenerated trees, a cause-and-effect transition like 'consequently', 'therefore', or 'as a result' is logically required to connect the sentences.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Transitions: Cause and Effect