Question

1. in florida, mangrove trees grow as part of an intertidal ecosystem. a simplified model of a food web in a florida mangrove forest is shown. overharvesting of prawns by commercial fishers has caused the size of the prawn population to decline in certain years. which of the following best predicts the effect of reducing the prawn population size in the mangrove forest ecosystem? compatition for food between herons and pelicans will increase because of reduced prey options. completion for food between snails and small fish will decrease because of reduced prey options. the size of the snail population will decrease because of a decrease in competition for a food source. the size of the small fish population will increase because of an increase in the size of the phytoplankton population.

Explanation:

When the prawn population declines, herons and pelicans, which both prey on prawns, will have fewer food options. This will lead to increased competition for food between them. Snails and small - fish do not directly compete for the same food source as prawns in a way that would decrease their competition. Also, a decrease in prawns doesn't directly cause a decrease in snail population due to reduced competition for food source, nor does it directly cause an increase in small - fish population due to phytoplankton population change.

Answer:

Competition for food between herons and pelicans will increase because of reduced prey options.