Question

select the correct answer from each drop - down menu.
in an ecosystem, marsh snails feed on phytoplankton and painted turtles feed on marsh snails. pollutants have resulted in the depletion of phytoplankton. what effect would this situation likely have on the population of marsh snails and painted turtles?
as phytoplankton were destroyed, the population of marsh snails would most likely drop - down menu, then the population of painted turtles would mostly likely drop - down menu.
reset next

Explanation:

1. Marsh snails rely on phytoplankton as their food source. When phytoplankton are depleted, the snails lose their primary food supply, leading to a population decrease due to starvation, competition, or reduced reproduction.
2. Painted turtles rely on marsh snails as their food source. If the marsh snail population decreases, the turtles lose their main prey, so their population will also decrease due to lack of food.

Answer:

First blank: decrease
Second blank: decrease