Question

A species of parakeet inhabits a large area of forest that has been fragmented by housing developments. It is difficult for the birds to move between forest fragments. Which process is likely to be affected by the fragmentation of the parakeet habitat? I. gene flow II. founder effect III. sympatric speciation

Answer 1

Answer: I and II

Explanation:

The gene flow will be affected because the fragmentation will make it quite cumbersome for birds in the different populations to go to each other and and be able to transfer genetic qualities which is key to genetic diversity.

The founder effect will also be affected. The founder effect is when a smaller group of a larger population are separated from the large population and form a new colony. As they are a smaller group, the genetic diversity will probably be low. With more fragmentation, the founder effect might happen a lot more as the parakeet get separated.