20 points

just the answer

which explanation is best supported by the numbers in the chart?

[a]
lion and cheetah populations compete for the food source of zebras, and lions outcompete cheetahs.

[b]
the dwindling zebra population has led to the decline of the predator lion and cheetah populations.

[c]
overhunting of lion and cheetah populations has led to a decline in the food source population.

[d]
lion and cheetah populations compete for the food source of zebras, and cheetahs outcompete lions.

A. Lion and cheetah populations compete for the food source of zebras, and lions outcompete cheetahs.

The competition exclusion principle suggests that if two species have the same ecological niche, which means they thrive for same food, shelter and other survival resources. The one which is more stronger than the other will survive. Shortly, only one species can occupy a ecological niche. Limiting factor is a living or nonliving factor which negatively affects the growth, abundance, and distribution of a living species in the ecosystem. For example, natural calamity, availability of food and others.

In the given situation, the chart represents lions outcompete cheetahs are both are thriving for the same food( ecological niche). The lion population being stronger enough to acquire more zebra as food over tigers.