Food Chains to Predict Changes

Food chains are models that show how organisms in an ecosystem can get their food. You can use a food chain to predict how populations of organisms will affect one another.

This food chain shows organisms in a freshwater ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of brown trout increases, midge larvae will have _________ predators. If this happens, midge larvae will be _________ likely to survive and produce offspring.

• more, more

• more, less

• Fewer, less

• Fewer, more

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

This food chain shows organisms in a estuary ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of zooplankton increases, bay anchovies will have _________ prey. If this happens, bay anchovies will be _________ likely to survive and produce offspring.

• more, more

• more, less

• fewer, more

• fewer, less

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

This food chain shows organisms in a grassland ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of long-tailed weasels decreases, yellow-pine chipmunks will have _________ predators. If this happens, yellow-pine chipmunks will be _________ likely to survive and produce offspring.

• more, more

• more, less

• fewer, more

• fewer, less

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

This food chain shows organisms in a forest ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of gray foxes decreases, bobcats will be ________ likely to survive and produce offspring. So, the population of bobcats will likely ________.

• more, increase

• more, decrease

• less, increase

• less, decrease

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

This food chain shows organisms in a freshwater ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of mudminnows increases, shiners will be ________ likely to survive and produce offspring. So, the population of shiners will likely _________.

• more, increase

• more, decrease

• less, increase

• less,decrease

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

This food chain shows organisms in an ocean ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of great white sharks decreases, sea otters will be __________ likely to survive and produce offspring. So, the population of sea otters will likely __________.

• more, increase

• more, deacrease

• less, increase

• less, decrease

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

This food chain shows organisms in a hot desert ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of yucca moths increases, scorpions will be ___________ likely to survive and produce offspring. So, the population of scorpions will likely _________.

• more, increase

• more, decrease

• less, increase

• less, decrease

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

This food chain shows organisms in a freshwater ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of European graylings decreases, the population of alderfly nymphs will likely ___________, and the population of great cormorants will likely ____________.

• Increase, Increase

• Increase, Decrease

• Decrease, Increase

• Decrease, Decrease

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

This food chain shows organisms in a grassland ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of long-tailed weasels increases, the population of golden eagles will likely __________, and the population of deer mice will likely __________ .

• increase, increase

• increase, decrease

• decrease, increase

• decrease, decrease

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

This food chain shows organisms in an ocean ecosystem.

Use the food chain to complete the text below.

If the population of giant green anemones increases, the population of California sea slugs will likely ___________, and the population of leather stars will likely __________.

• increase, increase

• increase, decrease

• decrease, increase

• decrease, decrease

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4