Based on the food web shown in the "Exam-Style Questions 1" section of the worksheet, here is the solution to the problem asking what happens if the mice population increases.
Step-by-step Reasoning:
1.
Identify the connections: Look at the arrows connected to the "mouse" in the diagram.
* An arrow points from the
grass to the
mouse. This means mice eat grass.
* An arrow points from the
mouse to the
fox. This means foxes eat mice.
* An arrow points from the
mouse to the
owl. This means owls eat mice.
2.
Analyze the effect on predators (Fox and Owl):
* If there are more mice, there is more food available for the animals that eat them.
* Therefore, the
fox and
owl populations would likely
increase because they have plenty to eat and can raise more babies.
3.
Analyze the effect on prey/food source (Grass):
* If there are more mice, they will need to eat more food to survive.
* Since mice eat grass, they will eat more of it.
* Therefore, the amount of
grass would
decrease.
Final Answer:
If the mouse population increased:
* The
fox and
owl populations would
increase (because they have more food).
* The
grass population would
decrease (because the mice are eating it).
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of ecosystem review worksheet.
