How would the food web be affected if the phytoplankton were removed?
The loss of phytoplankton is a huge problem for marine food chains, says Worm, because every creature in the ocean either eats phytoplankton or eats other organisms that depend on it. If their numbers start to decrease, the populations of these species would drop as well.
What role does phytoplankton play in the marine food web?
Phytoplankton are vital to marine ecosystems. They are producers, or autotrophs, that form the foundation of most marine food webs. As photosynthetic organisms, they are able to convert solar energy into chemical energy and store it as sugars. Phytoplankton are eaten by other small organisms, such as zooplankton.
What factors influence a marine food web?
5 Factors Impacting Marine Ecosystems
- Ocean Currents. Ocean currents move organisms around in the ocean and can affect the food chain in particular areas if organisms used for food are suddenly unavailable or move to another location on the currents.
- Temperatures.
- Chemical Levels.
- Pollution.
- Bioaccumulation.
Why is it advantageous for whales to eat plankton?
Therefore, it is more advantageous for the whale to eat animals on a trophic level in which there is more energy available to be taken in. The larger fish that feeds on this fish will produce only 1 unit of energy, which may not be enough to sustain the large whale.
Can whales swallow a human?
Despite occasional reports of whales scooping people into their mouths, it’s incredibly rare—and for all but one species, swallowing a human is physically impossible. A humpback’s throat is roughly the size of a human fist, and can only stretch to about 15 inches in diameter to accommodate a bigger meal.
Why are killer whales important to the food chain?
Like all living beings, whales occupy a role in the food chain and thus contribute to the balance of the marine ecosystem. As predators, they feed on fish and invertebrates; as prey, they may be hunted by other predators (sharks, whales, etc.) and by Man. Whales are sentinels of the health of marine environments.
What role does a killer whale play in the ecosystem?
Ecosystem Roles Killer whales are top predators in most marine ecosystems and impact the populations of common prey, such as seals and sea lions in breeding areas. Killer whales are host to some endoparasites and ectoparasites.
Do whales save humans from sharks?
Marine biologist Nan Hauser says a 50,000lb (22,700kg) humpback whale protected her from a tiger shark during a recent research expedition in the Cook Islands. She believes it could be the first case on record of a humpback protecting a human.
Has anyone been swallowed by a whale and lived?
“MA lobster diver survives being swallowed by whale,” The Daily Beast stated. For the record, the diver wasn’t swallowed; indeed, it is inaccurate to say that because he was allegedly engulfed in the humpback whale’s mouth, and did not go down the whale’s esophagus.