Question

this food chain shows organisms in a tropical coral reef ecosystem. use the food chain to complete the text below. if the population of black groupers decreases, caribbean lobsters will be likely to survive and produce offspring. so, the population of caribbean lobsters will likely

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze predator - prey relationship

In the food - chain, black groupers prey on Caribbean lobsters.

Step2: Consider effect of predator population change

When the population of predators (black groupers) decreases, the risk of predation for Caribbean lobsters reduces.

Step3: Determine impact on lobster population

With less predation, Caribbean lobsters are more likely to survive and reproduce, so their population will likely increase.

Answer:

more; increase