High School Placement Test Prep

Category - SHSAT Practice Test Question

The World Wildlife Foundation recently reports that the number of monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico has declined drastically. Although extreme drought conditions have dried up nectar plants monarch butterflies rely on for food. The destruction of their overwintering grounds also poses a considerate threat.

When monarch butterflies arrive in Mexico from Canada and the United States, they converge on oyamel fir trees. The trees provide shelter to monarch butterflies they are also essential to the communities that surround the forests. In the past, residents used the wood for cooking and heating, but recently, they have began to sell it in order to support their livelihoods. As a result of logging oyamel fir trees, the habitat of the monarch butterfly population has shrunk.

In 2008, scientists used satellite imagery to illustrate the degradation of oyamel fir forests. Officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States met to quickly develop a monarch butterfly conservation plan. A key feature of the plan focused on protecting the monarch butterflies’ habitat. Mexico agreed to enforce a ban on logging within the Monarch Biosphere Bio Reserve.

Despite various conversation efforts, including paying landowners for logging rights, the monarch butterfly population continues to decline. There was a 28 percent reduction in numbers of butterflies overwintering in Mexico. If further efforts are not made, some scientist predict the total collapse of the ecosystem that supports monarch butterflies in Mexico.

Other than deforestation, what other environmental issue could be causing the decline in the monarch butterfly population?
  1. Air pollution from expanding population centers.
  2. A prolonged drought.
  3. An extended growing season brought on by heavy rain.
  4. Warmer temperatures throughout the winter months.
Explanation
Answer [B]: A prolonged drought, in addition to the significant decline in the ovamel fir forests has likely led to the decrease in the monarch butterfly population. The World Wildlife Foundation has identified both environmental issues as possible causes of the decline. The cause that can be most directly addressed, however, is the increased logging of the fir trees.
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