Question

Examine the photo below of a very basic food web. In 2-3 sentences, describe what would happen to this ecosystem if the organisms indicated by the circle and arrow did not exist /organisations/933/19f6c1f0-0135-44f4-b430-8a9d5555d94d.JPG. Grading Considerations: Your answer should include the name of the group of organisms circled and what their job/role is in a food web Your answer should include an explanation of the effects it would have on the ecosystem if those organisms did not exist. In other words, why are they so important? Your answer should be in 2-3 sentences. Answers longer than 4 sentences will not be considered. Answering concisely and to the point is evidence for your understanding of the topic. (2 points)

Answer 1

Without seeing the specific photo, I will assume the circled organisms are primary producers, such as plants or phytoplankton. These organisms play a crucial role in the food web by converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, serving as the foundational food source for herbivores. If primary producers were to disappear, the entire food web would collapse, as herbivores would lack food, leading to a decline in their populations, which in turn would affect higher trophic levels, ultimately destabilizing the entire ecosystem.