Biology

Joseph Wheeler

20 September, 18:57

The Hawaiian honeycreeper has a highly evolved, mutualistic relationship with the Hawaiian silversword, a native plant that grows on beach front cliffs and dunes. The honeycreeper feeds almost exclusively on silversword nectar, and is the only pollinator of the plant. Hawaii, as you know, is one of the most sought-after resort areas in the world. The honeycreeper is now endangered, as a consequence of resort development.

The major contributor to the endangered status of the honeycreeper is

A)

over-hunting of honeycreepers by sportsmen.

B)

the destruction of silversword plants by condominium and hotel developers.

C)

introduction of another species of bird that also pollinates silversword plants, by zoos and pet owners.

D)

global climate change has made Hawaii too cold for the silverswords to continue growing, and honeycreepers have nothing to eat.