Question

the food web below shows some of the feeding relationships among organisms in arctic waters. what might happen to the population of squid if the population of phytoplankton decreased? the population of squid would decrease because squid feed on organisms that eat phytoplankton. the population of squid would increase slightly because squid do not eat phytoplankton. the population of squid would remain the same because squid have other food sources. the population of squid would double because the squid would have more to eat.

Explanation:

In a food web, if the population of phytoplankton (a primary producer) decreases, the organisms that directly or indirectly depend on it for food will be affected. Squid likely feed on organisms that rely on phytoplankton. A decrease in phytoplankton would lead to a decrease in the food supply for the organisms that squid eat. This would cause the squid population to decrease as there is less food available in the ecosystem.

Answer:

The population of squid would decrease because squid feed on organisms that eat phytoplankton.