for clams, their primary food, sea others damage the room of celesise plants growing on the seathood, Near Yanoniver Mand in Canada. the offer population is large and well established, yethereholisas measures are healthier found chenhere off Canada's coast To explain this conversation scientist from Foster and colleagues compared the Vancounce Island to meadows where ofters are absent or movieintished only meally Finding that the Vancouver hand meadors have a more diverse gene pool than the others do, Forter hypotheaired that damage to relayer roots increases rate of resual reproduction, this, in turn, books genetic directify which benefits the mealow?health overall. Which finding, if true, would most directly understine Fouter's hypothesis? A) At somesites in the study, celeprases meadows are found near oner populations that are small and have only recently been reintroduced ii) At several sites not included in the study,there are large, well-esiablished its offer populations but no celgrass meadows (C) At several sites not included in the study, evapos moders' health complain negatively with the length of residence and size of otter populations D) At some sites in the study, the health of plants

## Step 1<br />The problem is asking us to identify which finding would most directly undermine Foster's hypothesis. Foster's hypothesis is that damage to seagrass meadows by otters leads to an increased rate of asexual reproduction, which in turn boosts genetic diversity. This is beneficial for the overall health of the meadow.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />We need to find an option that contradicts Foster's hypothesis. The hypothesis is based on the idea that otters damage seagrass meadows, leading to increased genetic diversity.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option A suggests that at some sites, seagrass meadows are found near otter populations that are small and have only recently been reintroduced. This does not necessarily contradict Foster's hypothesis, as it does not provide evidence that otters are not damaging the meadows.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option B states that at several sites not included in the study, there are large, well-established otter populations but no seagrass meadows. This directly contradicts Foster's hypothesis, as it suggests that otters are not damaging the meadows, which is the basis of the hypothesis.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option C suggests that at several sites not included in the study, the health of seagrass meadows declines with the length of residence and size of otter populations. This does not necessarily contradict Foster's hypothesis, as it does not provide evidence that otters are not damaging the meadows.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />Option D is incomplete and does not provide enough information to determine whether it supports or contradicts Foster's hypothesis.