Which of the following best explains how the loss of a plant (producer) in an ecosystem can affect a secondary consumer?

• A. Secondary consumers will not be affected because they do not eat plants directly.
• B. Secondary consumers may decline in number due to a decrease in available food, as the loss of producers reduces the population of primary consumers they feed on.
• C. Secondary consumers will increase in number because there is less competition from producers.
• D. The loss of producers will only impact decomposers, not secondary consumers.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the roles of producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers in an ecosystem. Producers (plants) are the base of the food chain, converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. Primary consumers feed directly on producers, while secondary consumers feed on primary consumers.
2. Step 2: Analyze the impact of losing producers in the ecosystem. Without producers, primary consumers lose their food source, leading to a decline in their population.
3. Step 3: Consider the dependency of secondary consumers on primary consumers. Secondary consumers rely on primary consumers for energy. If the population of primary consumers decreases, secondary consumers will have less food available.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the incorrect options. Secondary consumers will be affected because their food source (primary consumers) is indirectly tied to producers. The idea that secondary consumers will increase due to less competition or that only decomposers are impacted is not supported by ecological principles.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct explanation is: Secondary consumers may decline in number due to a decrease in available food, as the loss of producers reduces the population of primary consumers they feed on.