The Arctic cod is a small forage fish that is a very important part of the food web. It eats mostly zooplankton and lives water between -2 and 0°C due to a type of antifreeze in its blood. How does a warming climate and seas waters as well as ice melt impact the Arctic cod and the other organisms in the food web?
A As the water temperatures warm, the plankton increases, the cod increases and all of the higher level consumers also increase.
B As ice melts and temperatures increase, the polar bears decline so all other animal populations, including the Arctic cod, increase.
C The Arctic cod lives in a very small temperature range. If it begins to die out, the food source for the next level of consumers will be reduced.
D The Arctic cod will eventually adapt to the changing water temperatures. Since there is plenty of food for the cod, its population should remain stable.
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C The Arctic cod lives in a very small temperature range. If it begins to die out, the food source for the next level of consumers will be reduced. This can lead to a decline in populations of higher level consumers in the food web, ultimately disrupting the entire ecosystem.
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