Question

energy flow you do use the image below to answer questions 1 - 5. 1. for a. - g. use i = increase and d = decrease a. if deer decrease, wolves ____ b. if mice increase, nuts __ c. if toads decrease, insects __ d. if bark increase rabbits __ e. if birds decrease, red fox __ f. if bear increase, wolves __ g. if bees increase, bears ____ 2. what are the primary consumers? 3. what are the producer(s)? 4. if the toad went extinct, which 2 organisms would be directly affected and why? 5. if a possum moved into the ecosystem and started to feed upon the toads, how would the skunks be affected?

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze predator - prey relationship for a

Deer are prey for wolves. Fewer deer means less food for wolves.
D

Step2: Analyze consumer - resource relationship for b

Mice consume nuts. More mice means more nut - consumption.
D

Step3: Analyze predator - prey relationship for c

Toads eat insects. Fewer toads means less predation on insects.
I

Step4: Analyze consumer - resource relationship for d

Rabbits eat bark. More bark means more food for rabbits.
I

Step5: Analyze predator - prey relationship for e

Birds are prey for red foxes. Fewer birds means less food for red foxes.
D

Step6: Analyze competition relationship for f

Bears and wolves may compete for resources. More bears may lead to less resources for wolves.
D

Step7: Analyze indirect relationship for g

Bees are not directly related to bears in this food - web. So no direct impact.
No change

Step8: Identify primary consumers for question 2

Primary consumers eat producers. Bees, mice, rabbits, toads, birds are primary consumers as they eat plants (blossoms, nuts, bark, leaves).
Bees, mice, rabbits, toads, birds

Step9: Identify producers for question 3

Producers are plants that make their own food. Oak (producing nuts, bark) and blossoms are producers.
Oak, blossoms

Step10: Analyze direct impacts for question 4

Toads are prey for skunks and predators of insects. If toads go extinct, skunks lose a food source and insects lose a predator.
Skunks and insects. Skunks lose a food source, insects lose a predator.

Step11: Analyze indirect impacts for question 5

If possums eat toads, toad population decreases. Skunks eat toads, so skunks have less food.
Skunks would decrease due to less food (toads).

Answer:

1.
a. D
b. D
c. I
d. I
e. D
f. D
g. No change

1. Bees, mice, rabbits, toads, birds
2. Oak, blossoms
3. Skunks and insects. Skunks lose a food source, insects lose a predator.
4. Skunks would decrease due to less food (toads).