Bamboo flowering is known to be associated with a subsequent famine. Which of the following is caused by bamboo flowering ?

Bamboo flowering, particularly the gregarious masting of species like Melocanna baccifera, is historically linked to famines in Northeast India, a phenomenon known as 'Mautam' [t1][t3]. The primary ecological driver is the production of vast quantities of protein-rich seeds and fruits, which provide an abundant food source for rodents [t1][t7]. This leads to a rapid explosion in the rat population, often referred to as a 'rat flood' [t6][t8]. Once the bamboo seeds are exhausted, the massive 'rat army' invades nearby agricultural fields, destroying standing crops and granaries, which results in severe food shortages and famine [t1][t2][t5]. Research indicates that specific amino acids in the bamboo fruit may even enhance the reproductive activity and hormonal levels of the rats, further accelerating their population growth [t7].