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In an ecosystem, marsh snails feed on phytoplankton and painted turtles feed on marsh snails. Pollution has resulted in the depletion of phytoplankton. What effect would this situation likely have on the populations of marsh snails and painted turtles?

A. The population of marsh snails will decrease, but the population of painted turtles will increase.
B. The population of marsh snails will increase, but the population of painted turtles will decrease.
C. The populations of marsh snails and painted turtles will increase.
D. The populations of marsh snails and painted turtles will decrease.
E. The populations of marsh snails and painted turtles will not be affected.



Answer :

GinnyAnswer

Final answer:

The populations of marsh snails and painted turtles will decrease due to the depletion of phytoplankton in the ecosystem.


Explanation:

The correct answer is: The populations of marsh snails and painted turtles will decrease.

When pollution depletes phytoplankton, the marsh snails, which feed on phytoplankton, will have less food available, leading to a decrease in their population. Subsequently, with fewer marsh snails to feed on, the population of painted turtles, which rely on marsh snails as a food source, will also decrease.

This scenario illustrates how disruptions in one part of an ecosystem can have cascading effects on other interconnected species within that ecosystem.


Learn more about Ecosystem Dynamics here:

https://brainly.com/question/38259796


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