A field has been home to mostly mice for many years. During a drought, some rabbits moved into the field. How will the rabbits most likely affect the ecosystem over time? A. The mouse habitat will be taken over by rabbits and the mice will move away. B. The rabbits will protect the mice from predators and the mouse population will increase. C. The mouse population will decrease as the rabbits compete with the mice for food resources. D. Mice will be preyed upon by the rabbits and the mouse population will decrease as the rabbit population increases.

Over time, the introduction of rabbits into the field will likely create competition for resources, such as food, which affects the existing mouse population. This competition can lead to a decline in the mice as they struggle to find enough to eat, especially if the rabbits become numerous. Moreover, the presence of rabbits may also alter the vegetation in the field, as they graze on plants that mice rely on for cover. This change in plant life can further impact the mice's ability to thrive in their habitat, leading to a decrease in their population as they are forced to adapt or relocate. It's a classic case of how species interdependence shapes ecosystems!