The wildfires suffered by East Texas in the fall of 201 were extremely severe. Wildlife biologists have determined that the fires burned meadow and forest ecosystems to the extent that grasses and wildflowers will not recover quickly. The decreased herbaceous ground cover has diminished food for native insects. As insects have declined the Houston toad has lost both ground cover for homes and a major source of food it may take years for Texas population of Houston toads to reach its former level The news report suggests that the Houston tood will have a stable breeding population only if the populations of grasses and wildflowers - A are restored to their levels before the wildfire.

B. equal the current population of Houston toads.

C. are reduced from their levels before the wildfire.

D. equal the mass of the current insect population