Students from the University of Georgia are completing a field study to determine the impact the American alligator has on ecosystems over a 3-month period. In one area of the ecosystem, the students have removed the alligators and in another area they have left the alligators. What is the hypothesis the students are testing?
Question 2 options:

A. If the American alligator is a primary consumer, then the ecosystem with alligators present will contain fewer primary producers

B. If the American alligator is a tertiary consumer, then the ecosystem with alligators absent will contain fewer primary producers

C. If the American alligator is a dominant predator, then the ecosystem with alligators present will be healthier and contain greater biodiversity.

D. If the American alligator is a dominant predator, then the ecosystem with alligators absent will be healthier and contain greater biodiversity.