A developer wants to develop a tract of scrub forest where scrub jays now nest. Since the scrub jay is a protected species, the developer must ensure that developing the tract will not harm the jays. To meet this requirement, the developer has proposed purchasing a tract of nearby scrub forest that would remain undeveloped. Since that tract is already inhabited by scrub jays, clearly it has suitable habitat for the birds that development will displace.

In order for the developer’s plan for meeting the requirement to succeed, which of the following must be true?

We need to show that the bird whose nest will be displaced will not have problem in housing in the undeveloped trait.

A. The proposed development will not destroy all of the suitable scrub jay nesting sites on the land that is to be developed.
Error. If the undeveloped trait is suitable, the bird will reconstruct the nest
B. Scrub jays whose nests are destroyed typically become disoriented and unable to forage for food.
Error. Out of scope
C. The tract that the developer plans to leave undeveloped is not suitable for development.
Error. Worsen our condition.
D. The tract that the developer plans to leave undeveloped is the only suitable habitat for scrub jays that is near the land that the developer plans to develop.
Error. only = red flag. maybe there is another tract, it would be cool if the undeveloped would be suitable for nesting
E. The scrub jay population in the tract that the developer plans to leave undeveloped is small enough that there is room for additional jays to nest there.
Correct. This is a requirement that is necessary for the conclusion to hold