Question

This food chain shows organisms in an estuary ecosystem.
Use the food chain to complete the text below.
If the population of bluefish decreases, the population of Atlantic silversides will likely
increase
decrease
, and the population of pelicans will likely
increase
decrease

Answer 1

If the population of bluefish decreases, the population of Atlantic silversides will likely **increase**, and the population of pelicans will likely **decrease**.

This is because, with fewer bluefish, there would be less predation on Atlantic silversides, allowing their numbers to rise. Conversely, fewer bluefish would mean less food availability for pelicans, leading to a decrease in their population.