Final answer:
Sea lions can become malnourished due to the decline in fish populations and other environmental factors. The absence of sea lions in the food chain can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sea lions can become malnourished due to several environmental causes. One major factor is the decline in fish populations, such as the salmon population in Northern California. When the salmon population declines, it reduces the food source for sea lions, leading to malnutrition. Other environmental causes that can contribute to sea lion malnutrition include pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction.
The absence of sea lions in the food chain can have a significant impact on other animals in the ecosystem. Sea lions are considered top predators in their environment, and their absence can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. For example, if sea lions decline in numbers, the population of their prey, such as fish and squid, may increase. This can lead to overconsumption of these species, causing imbalances in the food chain and negatively impacting other animals that rely on the same food sources.