Question

because cyanobacteria and other microphytobenthos (mpb) — microscopic organisms inhabiting tidal flats — are consumed by mussels as well as by certain shorebirds and fish, mpb are estuary ecosystems. decreased mpb abundance, which may be caused by environmental stressors, thus has a direct, negative impact on coastal food webs. which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? a) imperative for b) emblematic of c) subordinate to d) interchangeable with

Explanation:

The sentence structure and the context of the text suggest that we are looking for a phrase that indicates a relationship of being a symbol or representative. "Emblematic of" means being a symbol or representative of something, which fits the context as it shows that the decrease in MPB abundance (due to environmental stressors) has an impact on coastal food webs. The other options: "imperative for" (urgently needed for), "subordinate to" (lower in rank or importance), and "interchangeable with" (able to be swapped) do not fit the logical flow of the sentence as well as "emblematic of".

Answer:

B. emblematic of