The squirrel population would increase. The hawk population would decrease. The fox population would decrease. The tree population would increase.
I gave my students this multiple choice question: In a forest ecosystem, the squirrels eat seeds from trees. The squirrels are then eaten by hawks, owls, and foxes. If there were no more owls present in this ecosystem, which would most likely happen in the forest?

Only one answer is correct among these 4 choices:
- The squirrel population would increase.
- The hawk population would decrease.
- The fox population would decrease.
- The tree population would increase.

Could you tell me which one is correct?

The squirrel population would increase.