Question

A population of chipmunks live in an area of plentiful nuts and seeds on the ground. There are also fruit trees above, which provide a better source of nutrition for these chipmunks.
Part A: In a scenario where the nuts and seeds become scarce, what adaptation or adaptations might develop in the group over time to help them survive in this same area? (2 points)

Part B: What is the name of the process that has occurred, and how would it likely occur in this population? (2 points)

Answer 1

When the nuts and seeds become scarce, the chipmunks would most likely develop better climbing skills to reach the fruits and become a color better suited for camouflage in the trees.

i’m not sure which process you’re asking about, but the adaptations occurring in the chipmunks is called evolution, and the reason behind this would be survival of the fittest.

Answer 2

Answer: The chipmunks in the first scenario will start climbing the tree in search for food when it will be finished on the ground.

In the second scenario the process will be natural selection.

Explanation:

In case, when the chipmunks will not find food on the ground then they will start climbing trees, this will help them to get food from there as well.

This adaptation will develop over a period of time and will take place in group.

The population of chipmunks who will start climbing tree will survive and reproduce and the population of chipmunks that would not climb will die.The This process is natural selection.