Question

Question

What happens to an ecosystem when the primary consumers disappear?(1 point)
Responses

Both the producer and secondary consumer populations increase.
Both the producer and secondary consumer populations increase.

Both the producer and secondary consumer populations decrease.
Both the producer and secondary consumer populations decrease.

The producer population decreases, while the secondary consumer population increases.
The producer population decreases, while the secondary consumer population increases.

The producer population increases, while the secondary consumer population decreases.

Answer 1

When primary consumers disappear from an ecosystem, the typical outcome is that the producer population increases, while the secondary consumer population decreases. This is because primary consumers feed on producers; without them, the producers can grow unchecked. At the same time, secondary consumers that rely on primary consumers for food would find it difficult to survive, leading to a decline in their population.

So, the correct response is:

The producer population increases, while the secondary consumer population decreases.