Question

if the population of primary consumers decreases in a food web, what is the most likely immediate effect?
○ decomposers decrease
○ secondary consumers increase
○ sunlight decreases
○ producers increase

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: Decomposers rely on dead organic matter. A decrease in primary consumers doesn't directly lead to less dead matter immediately, so decomposers won't decrease.
2. Analyze the second option: Secondary consumers eat primary consumers. If primary consumers decrease, secondary consumers will have less food, so their population should decrease, not increase.
3. Analyze the third option: Sunlight is an abiotic factor independent of primary consumer population, so it won't decrease.
4. Analyze the fourth option: Primary consumers eat producers (plants). If primary consumers decrease, there is less herbivory, so producers (plants) will have less consumption pressure and their population is likely to increase.

Answer:

D. producers increase