The Great White Shark is an apex predator. Discuss how the decrease in their population has affected their ecosystem and the other species within that ecosystem. Be able to answer the following:
1. Which other species were affected by an increase and decrease in their populations?
2. Describe the changes to the food web of the North American coastal waters due to the reduced numbers of Great White Sharks.
3. Provide at least 3 reasons why the Great White Shark population decreased. Be able to explain the oragnism(s) or other factors that contributed to this downward trend.
1. One species that was affected by the decrease in the Great White Shark population was the population of marine mammals such as seals and sea lions. With fewer Great White Sharks preying on them, these populations increased. This in turn put pressure on fish populations that the marine mammals feed on, leading to a decrease in those populations as well.
2. The reduction in Great White Shark populations in North American coastal waters has had a cascading effect on the food web. Without their presence as top predators, the populations of their prey such as seals and sea lions increased. This led to a decline in fish populations as these marine mammals consumed more of their prey. As a result, the overall balance of the ecosystem was disrupted, affecting multiple species throughout the food web.
3. Some reasons for the decrease in Great White Shark populations include:
- Overfishing: Fishermen targeting sharks for their fins or as bycatch contribute to the decline in Great White Shark populations.
- Habitat loss: Pollution, coastal development, and climate change have all led to habitat degradation for Great White Sharks, impacting their ability to hunt and reproduce.
- Climate change: Changes in ocean temperatures and prey availability due to climate change can affect the distribution and abundance of Great White Sharks, making it harder for them to survive and reproduce.