Question

This food chain shows organisms in a grassland ecosystem.
Use the food chain to complete the text below.
If the population of red foxes decreases, the population of coyotes will likely
increase
decrease
, and the population of long-tailed weasels will likely
increase
decrease
.

Answer 1

If the population of red foxes decreases, the population of coyotes will likely **increase**, and the population of long-tailed weasels will likely **decrease**.

This is because red foxes and coyotes may compete for similar resources, so a decrease in red foxes would reduce competition and allow coyotes to thrive. Meanwhile, if long-tailed weasels are preyed upon by coyotes or compete with them for resources, their population may decline as coyotes become more numerous.