Question

this food chain shows organisms in an estuary ecosystem. phytoplankton bristle worm silver perch bottlenose dolphin bull shark use the food chain to complete the text below. if the population of bottlenose dolphins decreases, the population of silver perch will likely _, and the population of bull sharks will likely _

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze predator - prey relationship

In the food - chain phytoplankton → brittle worm → silver perch → bottlenose dolphin → bull shark, bottlenose dolphins are predators of silver perch and prey of bull sharks.

Step2: Consider the effect on silver perch

If the population of bottlenose dolphins decreases, there will be less predation on silver perch. So the population of silver perch will likely increase.

Step3: Consider the effect on bull sharks

Since bottlenose dolphins are prey for bull sharks, a decrease in bottlenose dolphin population means less food for bull sharks. So the population of bull sharks will likely decrease.

Answer:

increase; decrease