Question

In an ecosystem, marsh snails feed on phytoplankton and painted turtles feed on marsh snails. Pollution has resulted in the depletion of phytoplankton. What effect would this situation likely have on the population of marsh snails and painted turtles?
As phytoplankton were destroyed, the population of marsh snails would most likely .... Then the population of painted turtles would mostly likely ....

a.
1. increase
2. decrease
3. stay the same

b.
1. increase
2. decrease
3. stay the same

Answer 1

The correct answers are:

a. 2. decrease.

b. 2. decrease.

Since the phytoplankton is at the bottom of the food chain in this situation, and it is the one that is the most affected by the pollution, all the species directly and indirectly connected to it will suffer as well.

The numbers of the marsh snails will significantly decrease because they will lose their primary food source. As a chain reaction, as the number of marsh snails decreases, the painted turtles will lose their own prime food source, sot heir numbers will decrease significantly as well.

Answer 2

Answer: Both of them would be decrease hope this helped!