Polar Bears are Threatened by a Reduction in the Amount

Question

Polar bears are threatened by a reduction in the amount of phytoplankton in the ocean because
A)polar bears are at the top of the food chain in which phytoplankton are the primary producers.
B)polar bears use phytoplankton as an important source of vitamins.
C)phytoplankton are bioindicators of the amount of ice in the polar bear's ecosystem.
D)polar bears become covered with phytoplankton as camouflage when they forage on the tundra.

Accepted Answer

Phytoplankton are the primary producers in the Arctic marine ecosystem, which means they are at the base of the food chain. Polar bears, being apex predators, are at the top of this food chain and rely on a healthy abundance of phytoplankton to sustain their prey, such as fish and seals. Therefore, a reduction in phytoplankton could lead to a decrease in the availability of prey for polar bears, ultimately threatening their survival.