Question

In the northwestern portion of the United States, salmon runs from the ocean to the freshwater rivers are extremely important. Salmon carry rich nutrients only found in the ocean and deposit them into the rivers. These nutrients are then distributed to the nearby forests through the consumption of the salmon or their eggs by birds, bears and other animals. Human activities have caused a decrease in native salmon species. Formulate a hypothesis regarding the impact this decrease will cause within the local ecosystem.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Since it has been observed that Salmon runs from the ocean to freshwater is a very important process.

It has been highlighted from careful observation that Salmons carry nutrients from the ocean to the fresh water environment. We can propose that since the ocean is a vast sea of dissolved salts, moving Salmons would carry some of the dissolved salts in their tissue and body parts towards the freshwater.

As the salt gets into the fresh water, a natural balance is created as animals such as bears and birds consume them, they distribute the salt to other parts of the ecosystems through their activities.

With the introduction of large scale industrial fishing by man, the balance is tipped. The salt is now held up in human body systems and some salmon are used industrially. This deprives plants and animals that relies on this nutrient source for making the most of them. Deficiencies of the salt can lead to serious diseases in other parts of the ecosystem.