Global mean sea level has risen about 8–9 inches since 1880, with about a third of that coming in just the last two and a half decades. The rising water level is mostly due to a combination of meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets and the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms. Changes in the sea level are also impacting the coastal ecosystems. Consider this coastal food web. There are three producers in this food web: phytoplankton, aquatic vegetation, and vegetation. Changes in one part of the ecosystem can impact other parts of the ecosystem. Loss of which producer would have the greatest impact on the stability of this coastal ecosystem?

Question

Global mean sea level has risen about 8–9 inches since 1880, with about a third of that coming in just the last two and a half decades. The rising water level is mostly due to a combination of meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets and the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms. Changes in the sea level are also impacting the coastal ecosystems. Consider this coastal food web. There are three producers in this food web: phytoplankton, aquatic vegetation, and vegetation. Changes in one part of the ecosystem can impact other parts of the ecosystem. Loss of which producer would have the greatest impact on the stability of this coastal ecosystem?

Responses
A VegetationVegetation
B PhytoplanktonPhytoplankton
C There's no way to know.There's no way to know.
D Submerged aquatic vegetation

Answer 1

The correct answer is D) Submerged aquatic vegetation.

Submerged aquatic vegetation plays a crucial role in coastal ecosystems by providing habitat, food, and shelter for a variety of organisms. It also helps in stabilizing sediments and protecting coastlines from erosion. If the submerged aquatic vegetation were to be lost, it would disrupt the balance of the food web and have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem. This loss could lead to a decrease in food availability for other organisms, loss of habitat, and increased vulnerability to erosion.