ants, bison, elk, and wolves are all members of an ecosystem. The bison and elk are both primary consumers in this
system, while the wolves are a predator. Over time, the bison completely disappear. Give an example of how the
system may respond to this change, and explain how this relates to both resiliency and biodiversity.
If the bison completely disappear, the elk population may increase due to reduced competition for resources. However, with an increase in elk, the wolves may also increase in number to prey on the elk. This may create a domino effect, as an increase in wolf population may then cause a decrease in the elk population, and so on.
This response of the ecosystem to the disappearance of bison relates to both resiliency and biodiversity. Resilience refers to the ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances or changes. In this case, the ecosystem can still function and adapt despite the loss of bison, due to the presence of other members such as elk and wolves. However, the loss of bison affects biodiversity, as it reduces the number of species present in the ecosystem. This loss of biodiversity may have negative effects on the overall health and stability of the ecosystem in the long run.
When the bison completely disappear from the ecosystem, it can have a significant impact on the system and its dynamics. One possible response to this change is an increase in the elk population due to reduced competition for resources. As the primary consumers, the elk might now have access to more food and space, leading to their population growth.
This change relates to the concepts of resiliency and biodiversity in the following ways:
1. Resilience: Resilience refers to the ability of an ecosystem to absorb disturbances or changes and still maintain its basic structure and function. In this case, if the ecosystem is resilient, it should be able to adapt to the disappearance of the bison by shifting the balance to favor the elk population. The increase in elk numbers demonstrates the ecosystem's ability to recover and adjust to the loss of a primary consumer. However, if the system is not resilient enough, it may face imbalances and struggle to recover effectively.
2. Biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of species and their interactions within an ecosystem. The disappearance of the bison from the ecosystem reduces its biodiversity, as one species is now absent. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability and functionality of an ecosystem. With reduced biodiversity, the ecosystem may become more susceptible to disturbances and less resilient to changes. The loss of the bison could have cascading effects on other species and their interactions within the ecosystem.
Overall, the response to the disappearance of the bison demonstrates how interconnected species and their roles in an ecosystem can affect its resiliency and biodiversity. The ability of an ecosystem to recover and the impact on biodiversity emphasize the delicate balance and interdependence of species within a complex ecological network.
When the bison completely disappear from the ecosystem, the system may respond in several ways. One possible response is that the elk population may increase since they no longer face competition for resources from the bison. With the increase in elk population, their consumption of vegetation may rise, potentially leading to overgrazing and depletion of certain plant species. This imbalance in vegetation consumption could have cascading effects on other organisms in the ecosystem.
This example relates to both resiliency and biodiversity. Resiliency refers to the ability of an ecosystem to recover and adapt to changes or disturbances. In this case, the ecosystem may initially experience a disruption when the bison disappear, but the increase in elk population demonstrates the resilience of the system as it adjusts to the change.
Regarding biodiversity, the disappearance of the bison could have negative implications. Biodiversity refers to the variety and abundance of different species in an ecosystem. The loss of the bison reduces the overall biodiversity of the system since they are a distinct species with specific ecological roles and interactions. The reduction in biodiversity can have long-term consequences, as it may decrease the overall stability and functioning of the ecosystem.