Question

This food chain shows organisms in an ocean ecosystem.
Use the food chain to complete the text below.
If the population of sunflower stars decreases, the population of rainbow stars will likely
increase
decrease
, and the population of sea otters will likely
increase
decrease
.

Answer 1

If the population of sunflower stars decreases, the population of rainbow stars will likely **increase**, and the population of sea otters will likely **decrease**.

This is because sunflower stars may be a predator or competitor to rainbow stars; if fewer sunflower stars are present, rainbow stars may thrive without as much competition. Conversely, if sea otters feed on rainbow stars and the latter population grows due to fewer sunflower stars, the otters may have a harder time finding their food, potentially leading to a decrease in their population.