Question

This food chain shows organisms in a tropical coral reef ecosystem.
Use the food chain to complete the text below.
If the population of blue sprats increases, the population of copepods will likely
increase
decrease
, and the population of reef squids will likely
increase
decrease
.

Answer 1

If the population of blue sprats increases, the population of copepods will likely **decrease**, and the population of reef squids will likely **increase**.

This is because an increase in blue sprats would mean that they are consuming more copepods, leading to a decrease in the copepod population. At the same time, a larger population of blue sprats would provide more food for reef squids, likely resulting in an increase in their population as well.