Imagine that an ecosystem contains rabbits, foxes, wolves, and deer. The following predator-prey relationships exist:
Rabbits are eaten by foxes and wolves
Deer are eaten by wolves
Foxes are eaten by wolves
Select the animal whose absence would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem.
a. fox
b. wolf
c. rabbit
d. deer
b. wolf. Wolves are at the top of the food chain in this ecosystem and play a crucial role in balancing the predator-prey relationships. Without wolves, the population of both rabbits and deer would likely increase rapidly, which could lead to overgrazing and depletion of plant resources. This, in turn, could have negative effects on other species that rely on the ecosystem for survival. Additionally, the absence of wolves could potentially lead to an overpopulation of foxes, which could negatively impact other species as well.
b. disturb the ecosystem because another species will not be able to replace it.
In an ecosystem with low biodiversity, there are relatively few species, and each species plays a critical role. The removal of a species can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem because there are not many other species that can fill the gap left by the removed species. This can have cascading effects, as other species may be directly or indirectly impacted by the loss of the species.
b. counting the number and variation of different species of plants, animals, and other organisms that interact within an ecosystem.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms within a particular area. It is measured by counting and analyzing the number and variation of different species of plants, animals, and other organisms that interact within an ecosystem. This includes both the number of species and the genetic diversity within these species. Biodiversity also includes the diversity of interactions between species, such as predation, pollination, and mutualism.
Ecological health concerns the relationship among ecosystems, ecosystem services, and human health.
Ecological health refers to the overall health and function of an ecosystem. It goes beyond just the number and types of organisms present in an ecosystem and includes the relationships between ecosystems, ecosystem services, and human health. Ecosystem services are the benefits that ecosystems provide to humans, such as clean air and water, food, and medicines. The health of an ecosystem is closely tied to the health of the ecosystem services it provides, and ultimately to the health and well-being of human populations that depend on those ecosystem services.
In an ecosystem with low biodiversity, the removal of a species will (1 point)
Responses
a. disturb the ecosystem because another species will take its place.
b. disturb the ecosystem because another species will not be able to replace it.
c. not affect the ecosystem because another species will not be able to replace it.
d. not affect the ecosystem because another species will take its place.
Biodiversity is measured by (1 point)
Responses
a. only analyzing animal species that interact within an ecosystem.
b. counting the number and variation of different species of plants, animals, and other organisms that interact within an ecosystem.
c. counting the total number of one species population and how they interact within an ecosystem.
d. examining the usefulness of a specific trait in a species that interacts within an ecosystem.
Which statement best describes ecological health?(1 point)
Responses
Ecosystem biodiversity determines ecological health via the amounts of different organisms in the area.
Ecological health concerns the relationship between ecosystems and ecosystem services.
Ecological health concerns the relationship among ecosystems, ecosystem services, and human health.
Ecosystem biodiversity determines ecological health via the types of different organisms in the area.