The Arctic cod is a small forage fish that is a very important part of the food web. It eats mostly zooplankton and lives water between -2 and 0°C due to a type of antifreeze in its blood. How does a warming climate and seas waters as well as ice melt impact the Arctic cod and the other organisms in the food web?
Responses
A As the water temperatures warm, the plankton increases, the cod increases and all of the higher level consumers also increase.
B As ice melts and temperatures increase, the polar bears decline so all other animal populations, including the Arctic cod, increase
C The Arctic cod lives in a very small temperature range. If it begins to die out, the food source for the next level of consumers will be reduced.
D The Arctic cod will eventually adapt to the changing water temperatures. Since there is plenty of food for the cod, its population should remain stable
C The Arctic cod lives in a very small temperature range. If it begins to die out, the food source for the next level of consumers will be reduced.
This is the correct response. A warming climate and sea waters, as well as ice melt, can impact the Arctic cod and other organisms in the food web by potentially causing a decrease in the Arctic cod population. This could disrupt the balance of the food web as the cod is an important part of the diet for many other organisms in the Arctic ecosystem.