Question

this food chain shows organisms in an estuary ecosystem. seagrass sea squirt butterfish weakfish use the food chain to complete the text below. if the population of sea squirts decreases, butterfish will have prey. if this happens, butterfish will be likely to survive and produce offspring.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the food chain relationship

In the food chain seagrass → sea squirt → butterfish → weakfish, butterfish prey on sea squirts. If the population of sea squirts (their prey) decreases, the amount of available prey for butterfish reduces.

Step2: Consider the impact on survival and reproduction

With less prey (sea squirts), butterfish will have less food resources. This makes it more difficult for them to get enough energy for survival and reproduction. So they will be less likely to survive and produce offspring.

Answer:

less; less