Question

The data shows that recently the shark population has increased. How will the increase in the shark population affect the other populations? Be sure to explain whether the sea otter population, the sea star population, and the clam population will change, and why

Answer 1

Answer:

There is no data to show but there would definitely be a decrease in the population of the other organisms in lower trophic level (sea otter).

Explanation:

This question involves an aquatic food chain involving organisms like clams, sea stars, sea otters, and sharks. In this question, the shark appears to occupy the highest trophic level i.e. tertiary consumer. Ideally, as the food chain progresses from the lowest to highest trophic level, the population of each organism decreases.

However, an increase in the population of sharks will mean more mouths to feed on other consumers. Hence, causing a decrease in the population of other organisms in lower trophic level especially the organism that occupies the secondary consumer trophic level.