Suppose a newspaper reports an oil spill in Monterey bay. Six months later you read that the bay's population of seals sea otters and sea birds have declined. What factors may have caused this change?

The decline in the populations of seals, sea otters, and sea birds in Monterey Bay could be attributed to the oil spill's immediate toxic effects on these species, impacting their health, reproduction, and survival rates. Additionally, long-term ecological changes, such as habitat degradation and reduced food availability due to the spill, could further contribute to the decline. Environmental stressors, such as pollution or climate change, may also exacerbate the situation, leading to diminished populations over time.