Question

1. oil spills in the ocean affect marine food webs. animals that are initially affected by oil spills include birds, and other organisms that spend most of their time on the ocean. based on the food web, how would a significant decrease in the sea otter population due to an oil spill most likely affect this ecosystem? the sea urchin population would increase causing the kelp population to decrease. the fish population would increase in response to the changes in the mussel population. the mussel population would increase in response to the changes in the algae population. the killer whale population would increase causing the fish population to decrease. clear all

Explanation:

Sea otters prey on sea urchins. A decrease in sea otters would lead to fewer predators for sea urchins, allowing the sea urchin population to grow. Sea urchins feed on kelp, so an increase in sea urchins would cause the kelp population to decrease.

Answer:

The sea urchin population would increase causing the kelp population to decrease.