Question
8.Part of the food web from the shore is shown below. The numbers of mussels and periwinkles may be affected if the barnacles were removed from the food web. (i) Underline one answer in the brackets and give an explanation for it. The mussel population would ) increase decrease stay the same __ 1 (ii) Underline one answer in the brackets and give an explanation for it. The periwinkle population would ) increase decrease stay the same
Answer
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Jamie
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Answer
(i) The mussel population would **increase**.(ii) The periwinkle population would **increase**.
Explanation
## For the mussel population:### The removal of barnacles from the food web could lead to a decrease in the mussel population if barnacles compete with mussels for food or space. If barnacles are competitors, their removal would allow mussels to have more resources, potentially increasing their population. However, if barnacles serve as a food source for predators that also prey on mussels, the removal of barnacles could lead to increased predation on mussels, decreasing their population. Without specific information on the food web dynamics, we assume competition is a significant factor.## For the periwinkle population:### Similar to mussels, the effect on periwinkles depends on their relationship with barnacles within the food web. If barnacles compete with periwinkles for resources, their removal could lead to an increase in the periwinkle population due to reduced competition. Conversely, if barnacles are a key food source for a predator of periwinkles, their removal could result in increased predation on periwinkles, decreasing their population. Assuming competition is a primary interaction, the periwinkle population might increase.