Which of these statements is correct ?

Options

A. Herbivores are more adversely affected by competition than carnivores,
B. Carnivores are more adversely affected by competition than herbivores.
C. Both herbivores and carnivores are equally affected by competition
D. Both herbivores and carnivores are not affected by competition .

Answer

To determine which statement is correct regarding the effects of competition on herbivores and carnivores, let's analyze each statement step by step.

### Step 1: Understand the definitions
- **Herbivores**: Animals that primarily consume plants.
- **Carnivores**: Animals that primarily consume other animals (meat).

### Step 2: Analyze the first statement
- **Statement 1**: "Herbivores are more adversely affected by the competition than carnivores."
- This statement can be considered correct because herbivores often compete for limited plant resources, which can be more directly impacted by competition. Plants have a fixed location and limited availability, leading to intense competition among herbivores.

### Step 3: Analyze the second statement
- **Statement 2**: "Carnivores are more adversely affected by the competition than herbivores."
- This statement is generally incorrect. Carnivores may face competition, but they often have a wider range of prey and can adapt more easily to changes in prey availability compared to herbivores.

### Step 4: Analyze the third statement
- **Statement 3**: "Both herbivores and carnivores are equally affected by the competition."
- This statement is also incorrect. The degree of competition and its effects can vary widely between herbivores and carnivores, with herbivores typically facing more direct competition for limited resources.

### Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- The correct statement is **Statement 1**: "Herbivores are more adversely affected by the competition than carnivores."