Explain how a reduction in the nutrients in the upper layers of the ocean could lead to a decrease in the numbers of forage fish such as anchoveta.

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Answer:

The explanation can be found below:

Explanation:

In an aquatic ecosystem, organisms feed on one another as food source to acquire energy. This feeding pattern is termed as FOOD CHAIN. Food Chain of an aquatic ecosystem begins with producers like phytoplanktons and progresses. These phytoplanktons e.g algae, which are mostly microscopic require certain nutrients e.g phosphate for growth. They tend to bloom in the presence of abundant nutrients in the upper layer of the water body.

However, in a case where the nutrients reduces, this means that the rate at which these phytoplanktons grow will also decrease. Fishes like Anchoveta feeds directly on phytoplanktons in the aquatic food chain. A decrease in the amount of phytoplanktons in the water body means there would be less to feed on by the forage fishes, hence, gradually reducing their population.

Hence, in a nutshell, a reduction in available water nutrients will lead to a reduction in the growth rate of phytoplanktons, which will utterly result in a decrease in the numbers of forage fishes.

A drop in accessible water nutrients will result in a fall in the growth rate of phytoplanktons, resulting in a decrease in the number of forage fishes.

Food Chain

  • In an aquatic environment, organisms feed on one another for food and energy. This feeding pattern is known as the food chain.
  • An aquatic ecosystem's food chain begins with producers such as phytoplanktons and advances. These phytoplanktons, which are primarily tiny, require particular nutrients, such as phosphate, to flourish. They tend to bloom in the presence of rich nutrients in the water body's upper layer.
  • If the nutrients are reduced, the pace at which these phytoplanktons grow will also be reduced. Anchoveta fishes graze directly on phytoplanktons in the aquatic food chain. A decrease in the amount of phytoplanktons in the water body means that forage fishes have less to eat on, gradually diminishing their population.
  • In a nutshell, a drop in accessible water nutrients will result in a fall in the growth rate of phytoplanktons, resulting in a decrease in the number of forage fishes.

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