Question

Ash from a volcanic eruption decreases the amount of available solar energy for a region. How will a decrease in available sunlight most likely affect ecosystems of this region?
1Points
A
Decomposer populations will increase, causing a decrease in consumer populations.

B
Decomposer populations will increase, causing an increase in consumer populations.

C
Producer populations will decrease, causing a decrease in consumer populations.

D
Producer populations will decrease, causing an increase in consumer populations.

Answer 1

Answer: C. Producer populations will decrease, causing a decrease in consumer populations.

Explanation:

According to the situation, the volcanic ash will mask the light energy from sun. The sunlight is the main requirement for the producers to synthesize their own food by the process of photosynthesis. The population of plants and other autotrophs will be affected by this. The other organisms in the ecosystem will be affected as decline in the population of producers will result in decline in the population of consumers due to lack of food.  

Answer 2

Answer:

C

Explanation:

Producers require solar energy to start photosynthesis to create the glucose they need, so lower solar energy means less photosynthesis.