Question

1. label each organism in the food chain below as a producer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer, or primary consumer. write one term in each box.

1. imagine that a new species of snake moves into the ecosystem that includes the food chain above. this snake eats small rodents like the shrew and quickly begins to eat the shrew. predict what will happen to the populations of the other organisms in the food chain when the snake enters the ecosystem by filling in the chart below.

1. which organisms are always at the beginning of every food chain and food web? why?

1. decomposers like bacteria are not usually included in food webs. why are decomposers an important part of a healthy ecosystem?

Explanation:

• Shrew: The snake preys on shrews, so the shrew population will decrease.
• Owl: Owls also prey on shrews. With fewer shrews available (due to the snake's presence), the owl population may decrease as there is less food.
• Grasshopper: Shrews prey on grasshoppers. If shrew numbers decline, there will be fewer predators for grasshoppers. So, the grasshopper population may increase.
• Grass: Grasshoppers eat grass. If grasshopper numbers increase (because shrew numbers decrease), more grass will be consumed. So, the grass population may decrease.

Answer:

• Shrew: Decrease. Because the snake preys on shrews.
• Owl: Decrease. Because there are fewer shrews (their food source) available.
• Grasshopper: Increase. Because there are fewer shrews (their predators) to eat them.
• Grass: Decrease. Because there are more grasshoppers (which eat grass) due to fewer shrews.