188k views
22 votes
Pls answer!!

a) Based on this information and the food chain below, what are the implications of
not taking immediate steps to reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere? (2 points)
algae → snails — crabs — salmon → man
b) Because killer whales are at the top of many food chains, it may seem as if they
are not at risk of starving if seals die off. Why is this not necessarily true? (2 points)

Pls answer!! a) Based on this information and the food chain below, what are the implications-example-1
User Rdster
by
4.9k points

1 Answer

9 votes

Answer:

a) Higher carbon dioxide levels means a rapid growth of Algae, especially toxic blue-green algae that can float to the surface of the water. This growing amount of Algae will expand across the ocean and clutter it. Harmful algal blooms can be harmful to aquatic life, as some produce toxins that can make animals sick, while others can die off in large quantities and deplete oxygen in the water when they decompose. Snails, specifically aqaurium snails, crabs, and salmon do feed on Algae, which could control it to a degree. However, as the ocean becomes more acidic, it could dissolve the shells of crabs and snails, which will cause them to cook in the sun, and therefore die out. As for salmon, studies showed that high CO2 concentrations disturb fish acid-balance, induce stress response, increase nephrocalcinosis incidence, energy metabolism, and feed conversion ratio, and reduces body condition factor, feed intake, and growth. Fish in this condition are very vunerable to dying despite food being all around them. Additionally, fish in those conditions are not suitable for consumption, which means less food for mankind.

b) This is not true. Although they eat sharks, whales, and dolphins, that is just occasional. Seals are their primary meal. As the killer whale is a consumer, it cannot provide food/energy for itself, therefore relying on organisms below it on the food chain. The killer whale predominately consumes seals, being it’s only large predator, killer whales are crucial to the stabilisation of seal population.

Step-by-step explanation:

hope this helps!

User Petra
by
4.8k points