bison, elk, and wolves are all members of an ecosystem. The bison and elk are both primary consumers in this ecosystem, while the wolves are a predator. Over time, the bison completely disappear. Give an example of how the ecosystem may respond to this change, and explain how this relates to both resiliency and biodiversity.
One possible response to the disappearance of bison in this ecosystem could be an increase in the elk population. With one of their main competitors for resources gone, the elk population may grow rapidly. This increase in elk could lead to overgrazing of vegetation, which could in turn impact the availability of food for other species in the ecosystem.
This scenario demonstrates the importance of biodiversity in an ecosystem. When one species, such as the bison, disappears, it can have far-reaching effects on other species and the overall health of the ecosystem. Biodiversity helps to ensure that there are multiple species fulfilling similar roles within the ecosystem, which can help to buffer against the loss of one species.
Additionally, the response of the ecosystem to the disappearance of the bison highlights the concept of resiliency. A more biodiverse ecosystem is generally more resilient to changes and disturbances, as different species can potentially fill in the gaps left by the loss of another species. In this case, a more diverse ecosystem may have been better able to absorb the disappearance of the bison without as drastic of an impact on the overall balance of the ecosystem.