A new predator is introduced into the ecosystem shown in the food web below. This predator feeds on bees and mice. How will this most likely affect the species in this ecosystem?

Question

A new predator is introduced into the ecosystem shown in the food web below. This predator feeds on bees and mice. How will this most likely affect the species in this ecosystem?

(1 point)
Responses

There will be a decrease in bees and mice which will cause an increase the black bear population and a decrease in the fox population.
There will be a decrease in bees and mice which will cause an increase the black bear population and a decrease in the fox population.

There will be an increase in bees and mice which will cause an increase in the populations of both black bears and foxes.
There will be an increase in bees and mice which will cause an increase in the populations of both black bears and foxes.

There will be an increase in bees and mice which will cause a decrease in the black bear population and an increase in the fox population.
There will be an increase in bees and mice which will cause a decrease in the black bear population and an increase in the fox population.

There will be a decrease in bees and mice which will cause a decrease in the populations of both black bears and foxes.
There will be a decrease in bees and mice which will cause a decrease in the populations of both black bears and foxes.
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Answer 1

There will be a decrease in bees and mice which will cause an increase in the black bear population and a decrease in the fox population. Bees and mice serve as prey for both the black bears and foxes, so a decrease in their populations would result in less food available for the predators. As a result, the black bear population would increase due to the new food source, while the fox population would decrease as their food source dwindles.