A scientist hypothesizes that the increased frequency of heatwaves (defined as three consecutive days above 35°C) leads to a decrease in forest growth rates in a particular region. Data for five years is collected:
| Year | Number of Heatwaves | Average Forest Growth Rate (%/year) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 3.5 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2.8 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3.0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 2.1 |
| 2022 | 5 | 2.5 |
Does the data support the scientist's hypothesis?
Correct: A
The hypothesis states that increased heatwaves lead to decreased forest growth. Let's examine the trend:
- 2018 (2 heatwaves): 3.5% growth
- 2019 (4 heatwaves): 2.8% growth
- 2020 (3 heatwaves): 3.0% growth
- 2021 (6 heatwaves): 2.1% growth
- 2022 (5 heatwaves): 2.5% growth
Observing the data, as the 'Number of Heatwaves' generally increases (e.g., from 2 to 4, or 3 to 5, or 4 to 6), the 'Average Forest Growth Rate' tends to decrease (e.g., from 3.5 to 2.8, or 3.0 to 2.5, or 2.8 to 2.1). While not perfectly monotonic, the overall pattern shows an inverse relationship, which supports the hypothesis.