Biologists studied four meadow restoration projects and recorded native-bee diversity (species count) along with two factors: insecticide use (yes/no) and percent native-flower planting (low/high). Site A, no insecticide + high native, 42; B, no insecticide + low native, 28; C, insecticide + high native, 22; D, insecticide + low native, 14. The researchers argued that <em>both</em> insecticide reduction and native-flower planting independently support bee diversity, with insecticide reduction showing the larger effect. The strongest data support is ______
Which choice most logically completes the text using the data above?
- A
Site D's count of 14.
- B
the average count across sites.
- Ccheck_circle
the comparison: insecticide-free sites add 14-20 species (A vs. C: 42-22=20; B vs. D: 28-14=14), while native-flower planting adds 8-14 species (A vs. B: 14; C vs. D: 8); insecticide reduction has the larger effect.
- D
Site A's highest count of 42.
Explanation
To argue both factors independently matter and that insecticide is larger, examine each variable while holding the other constant. Choice B does both and quantifies that insecticide-free adds 14-20 species while native flowers add 8-14, supporting the dual claim.