What would MOST LIKELY happen if gazelles were removed from this ecosystem?
The populations of lions and zebras would increase.
The populations of lions and zebras would decrease.
The populations of hyenas and grasses would increase.
The populations of zebras and grasses would decrease.
If gazelles were removed from the ecosystem, we'd have one seriously disappointed group, party clowns. But in terms of the actual consequences, without gazelles, the populations of both lions and zebras would probably decrease.
As the primary prey for lions, the absence of gazelles to munch on would leave the lions facing a limited dining menu, leading to a decrease in their population. Meanwhile, zebras would also face a decrease since they wouldn't have their usual intense gazelle-watching reality TV shows to keep them entertained.
If gazelles were removed from this ecosystem, the most likely scenario would be that the populations of lions and zebras would decrease. Gazelles are a crucial food source for lions, and without them, the lion population would suffer. Additionally, zebras often coexist in the same habitat as gazelles and may rely on similar resources, so their population could also be negatively affected by the absence of gazelles.
If gazelles were removed from an ecosystem, it would most likely have an impact on the populations of other species within that ecosystem. To determine the most likely outcome, we need to evaluate the ecological relationships and dependencies between gazelles and other species.
Gazelles are herbivores that graze on grasses, which means they play a crucial role in controlling the vegetation population. Without gazelles consuming the grasses, there might be an overgrowth of vegetation.
Since gazelles are a primary prey species for lions, their removal would result in a reduced food source for lions. Consequently, the lion population would most likely decrease due to a lack of prey.
Zebras, on the other hand, might experience an increase in population if gazelles were removed. With less competition for resources from gazelles, zebras would have more access to food and could reproduce more successfully.
Hyenas, although not directly linked to gazelles as a food source, might experience some indirect effects. As scavengers, hyenas depend on the leftovers of lion kills. If the lion population decreases due to the absence of gazelle prey, there would be less food available for hyenas. This might lead to a decrease in the hyena population.
Considering all these factors, the most likely outcome if gazelles were removed from the ecosystem is that the populations of lions and zebras would change. The population of lions would decrease, while the population of zebras could increase. Therefore, option 1 is the correct answer: "The populations of lions and zebras would increase."