15 Select the correct answer. A river has different populations of lampreys and paddlefish. The paddlefish feed on zooplankton, while the lampreys feed on the paddlefish. Humans living around the river hunt the paddlefish. What will happen to the ecosystem if the paddlefish are hunted in excess? A. The population of lamprey will decrease, while the population of paddlefish will increase. B. The population of paddlefish will decrease, while the population of zooplankton will increase. C. The population of paddlefish will increase, while the population of zooplankton will decrease. D. The population of lamprey will increase, while the population of zooplankton will decrease.

Imagine a balanced ecosystem where every creature plays a role in the grand scheme of life! If humans overhunt the paddlefish, the number of these graceful fish will decline. Consequently, with fewer paddlefish to prey on, the lamprey population will likely surge—more food means more lampreys swimming around. But wait! As the lampreys feast on fewer paddlefish, the zooplankton, which paddlefish munch on, will start to thrive due to the paddlefish's decreasing numbers. So, the right answer here is D: The population of lamprey will increase, while the population of zooplankton will decrease. It's a classic case of the food web in action, showcasing how interdependent species can be!