Question

this food chain shows organisms in an estuary ecosystem.
use the food chain to complete the text below.
if the population of bluefish increases, the population of pelicans will likely
, and the population of atlantic silversides will likely
.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the food chain: Phytoplankton/Common grass shrimp → Atlantic silverside → Bluefish → Pelican.
2. For pelicans: Bluefish is their prey. If bluefish population increases, there is more food for pelicans, so pelican population will likely increase.
3. For Atlantic silversides: Bluefish is their predator. If bluefish population increases, more silversides will be eaten, so Atlantic silverside population will likely decrease.

Answer:

If the population of bluefish increases, the population of pelicans will likely increase, and the population of Atlantic silversides will likely decrease.