A small fish called the anchovy can be found in the cold ocean waters off the coast of Peru. The anchovy population in Peru is one of the most important fish populations in the world. The anchovy is critical to the health of the ocean ecosystem off the coast of Peru. Changes to the anchovy population have a major impact on other organisms in the ecosystem. A food web for that ecosystem is shown. This food web shows the relationships among organisms, including anchovies, in the ecosystem. It also shows the movement of energy through the ecosystem. A basic energy pyramid is shown as well.

Question

A small fish called the anchovy can be found in the cold ocean waters off the coast of Peru. The anchovy population in Peru is one of the most important fish populations in the world. The anchovy is critical to the health of the ocean ecosystem off the coast of Peru. Changes to the anchovy population have a major impact on other organisms in the ecosystem. A food web for that ecosystem is shown. This food web shows the relationships among organisms, including anchovies, in the ecosystem. It also shows the movement of energy through the ecosystem. A basic energy pyramid is shown as well.

Question 1
Which statement is most correct about the collapse of the ocean food web that may be caused by the loss of an organism in the ecosystem?(1 point)
Responses

The loss of the zooplankton would mean that there would not be a direct food source for the phytoplankton.
The loss of the zooplankton would mean that there would not be a direct food source for the phytoplankton.

The loss of the anchovies would mean that larger fish would not have enough food to thrive in that region.
The loss of the anchovies would mean that larger fish would not have enough food to thrive in that region.

The loss of the phytoplankton would mean that the anchovy would not have phytoplankton as a direct foodsource.
The loss of the phytoplankton would mean that the anchovy would not have phytoplankton as a direct foodsource.

The loss of the large fish would mean that there would not be a need for the anchovies as a food source.
The loss of the large fish would mean that there would not be a need for the anchovies as a food source.
Question 2
According to the food web, in which trophic level of the energy pyramid does the anchovy belong?(1 point)
Responses

2: Primary Consumer
2: Primary Consumer

1: Producer
1: Producer

4: Tertiary Consumer
4: Tertiary Consumer

3: Secondary Consumer
3: Secondary Consumer
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Answer 1

Question 3

What would likely happen if the anchovy population were to decrease significantly due to overfishing or other factors?(1 point)
Responses

The population of large fish would increase because they would have less competition for food.
The population of large fish would increase because they would have less competition for food.

The population of zooplankton would decrease due to lack of predation by anchovies.
The population of zooplankton would decrease due to lack of predation by anchovies.

The population of phytoplankton would increase due to less grazing by anchovies.
The population of phytoplankton would increase due to less grazing by anchovies.

The population of other small fish would decrease due to lack of competition for food from anchovies.
The population of other small fish would decrease due to lack of competition for food from anchovies.