Question

a commercial fishing company moves into the ecosystem shown in the food web below and begins to use nets to catch crustaceans. the crustaceans are taken out of the water and sold as food. how will this most likely affect the species in this ecosystem? ○a. there will be an increase in the number of crustaceans which will cause a decrease in the algae population. ○b. there will be an increase in the number of crustaceans which will cause a decrease in the shark population. ○c. there will be a decrease in the number of crustaceans which will cause a decrease in the fish population. ○d. there will be a decrease in the number of crustaceans which will cause an increase in the dolphin population.

Explanation:

• When the commercial fishing company catches crustaceans, the number of crustaceans will decrease.
• Since fish and dolphins eat crustaceans, a decrease in crustaceans means less food for fish.
• A decrease in food (crustaceans) for fish will lead to a decrease in the fish population.

Answer:

C. There will be a decrease in the number of crustaceans which will cause a decrease in the fish population.