Question

examine the food chain below. grass → grasshopper → mouse → owl what will happen if a drought causes the population of grass to decrease? a the population of decomposers will decrease because there are less organisms dying. b the population of mice will decrease because there will be less food available due to the drought. c the population of owls will not be affected because they are predators who do not eat grass. d the population of grasshoppers will increase because they will find a different, better food source.

Explanation:

In a food - chain, a decrease in the population of grass (a primary producer) due to drought will affect the organisms that depend on it. Grasshoppers eat grass. A reduction in grass means less food for grasshoppers, which in turn affects the mice that eat grasshoppers. With less grasshoppers, mice will have less food, leading to a decrease in their population. Decomposers are not directly related to the grass population decrease in this simple food - chain context. Owls are affected as their prey (mice) population is likely to decrease. Grasshoppers are not likely to find a better food source as they are adapted to eating grass.

Answer:

B. The population of mice will decrease because there will be less food available due to the drought.