Question

this food chain shows organisms in a hot desert ecosystem. use the food chain to complete the text below. if the population of western diamondback rattlesnakes increases, the population of grasshopper mice will likely , and the population of red - tailed hawks will likely

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze predator - prey relationship

In a food - chain, if the population of a predator increases, the population of its prey decreases. Western diamondback rattlesnakes prey on grasshopper mice. So if the population of western diamondback rattlesnakes increases, the population of grasshopper mice will likely decrease.

Step2: Analyze predator - prey relationship for red - tailed hawks

Red - tailed hawks prey on western diamondback rattlesnakes. If the population of western diamondback rattlesnakes increases, there is more food for red - tailed hawks, so the population of red - tailed hawks will likely increase.

Answer:

Decrease; Increase