Arecent study has shown an increase in the number of predators in an ecosystem. which of the following is a possible cause for the growth? a. a decrease in the population of prey it feeds on. b. an increase in the population of prey it feeds on c. a decrease in the biodiversity of the ecosystem d. an increase in the number of predators that feed on it

b. An increase in the population of prey it feeds on

Explanation:

There's only one way in which the predator population can be growing, and that is if the population of the prey animals is growing as well. The reason for this is that the prey animals are the ones that the predators feed upon, so the less prey animals there are, the less food, thus less predators, and the more prey animals there are, there's more food, thus more predators. It is a predator-prey relationship that directly affects both sides and their numbers. The population of predators will grow as the population of prey animals is growing, but eventually that will stop as the increased number of predators will regulate the prey population, thus reaching an equilibrium in the ecosystem.

c. earths continental crust is thicker than its lithosphere.

because, the lithosphere is the outermost layer of the earth/ 100 km thick and is defined by its machanical properties.the lithosphere contains oceanic and continental crust that varies in age and thickness across locations and geologic time. the lithosphere is the coolest layer of the earth in terms of temperature. the term lithosphere should not be confused with the use of "geosphere" which is used to indicate all of earth systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere   and biosphere. the surface of the earth can be divided into the continental crust and the oceanic crust.   the continental crust is made mostly of granite while the oceanic crust is made of basalt. the average thickness of the continental crust is 25 miles and the average thickness of the oceanic crust is 5 miles.   three types of rock, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, make up the surface of the earth. that's why 3 option is preferable.