In a marsh ecosystem, alligators feed on blue crabs. Blue crabs feed on salt meadow grass, shrimp, and detritus.

What would most likely happen to the food web if there were a sudden decrease in the number of blue crabs?

The populations of salt meadow grass and shrimp would increase.

The population of alligators would decrease.

Explanation:

According to the given information, blue crabs are prey species for alligators. A sudden decrease in the number of blue crabs would reduce the food availability for alligators and food scarcity would reduce their population size.

On the other hand, blue crabs feed on salt meadow grass, shrimp, and detritus. A sudden decrease in the number of blue crabs would increase the population size of salt meadow grass and shrimp. Detritus would accumulate in the system.