Plants, 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, explain how this relates to both resiliency and biodiversity
Without bison, the elk may become overpopulated since their primary competitor for resources is now gone. This overpopulation of elk could result in overgrazing of the plants, putting a strain on the plant population. As the plant population decreases, it could affect other herbivores in the ecosystem, such as smaller mammals or birds.
This change in the ecosystem shows a lack of resiliency, as the removal of one species has a cascading effect on the rest of the ecosystem. Biodiversity is also impacted, as the loss of the bison means one less species in the ecosystem. This loss of diversity directly affects the stability of the ecosystem, making it more vulnerable to further disruptions. Therefore, it is important to maintain a diverse range of species in an ecosystem to ensure its resiliency and stability.
Beavers, large members of the rodent family in North America, are often referred to as “ecosystem/keystone engineers” by wildlife managers. Ecosystem engineers are described as animals that create, alter, or destroy a habitat. Beavers contribute to river ecosystems by bringing down old and dead trees along the riverbanks. They use these trees to make their dams. Although environment in different ways
, these dams have several positive effects on the ecosystem.
First, the dams create pond-like habitats that provide a space for aquatic plants to grow and freshwater organisms to thrive. The ponds also attract various animal species, including fish, amphibians, and waterfowl, that use the newly created water habitat for breeding, nesting and feeding. This increased biodiversity adds resiliency to the ecosystem, making it more capable of withstanding environmental stressors.
Second, the dams promote healthy stream ecosystems by regulating water flow, helping to prevent erosion and downstream flooding. The slower-moving water behind the dams causes sediment and other pollutants to settle, resulting in clearer water for all species to enjoy.
Lastly, as the beavers destroy trees to make their dams, they create new habitats for other animal species that require the dead and decaying trees, such as insects, bacteria, fungi, and mammals like porcupines or owls.
The impact of beavers on the ecosystem shows the significance of keystone species in an ecosystem. These species play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem health by creating habitats that can be shared by even more species. The loss of beavers can negatively impact an ecosystem's health, suppressing its biodiversity, reducing its resiliency, and disrupting the ebb and flow of the ecosystem.
When the bison completely disappear from the ecosystem, it can have various effects on the ecosystem and its resilience and biodiversity.
Firstly, with the absence of bison, the primary consumers' role will be solely filled by the elk. This can place a higher pressure on the elk population as they will now have to rely more on the available plant resources for their survival, potentially leading to overgrazing. Over time, this can cause a decline in plant abundance and diversity, affecting the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem.
Additionally, the wolves, which are predators in this ecosystem, will also be affected by the disappearance of bison. As the primary source of prey for wolves, the decline in bison population may result in reduced food availability for the wolves. This could lead to increased competition among the wolves for alternative prey or even drive them to move to other areas in search of food.
From a resilience perspective, the loss of bison can decrease the overall resilience of the ecosystem by reducing its capacity to withstand and recover from disturbances. Resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to bounce back and maintain its normal functioning in the face of changes or disruptions. With fewer species and their interactions, the ecosystem's ability to adapt and respond to disturbances may be compromised.
Moreover, the disappearance of bison could also disrupt other species' interactions within the ecosystem. For instance, bison grazing can create open grasslands and disturb the soil, creating new habitats for other species. These changes in habitat structure can affect the diversity of plants, insects, and other organisms that rely on these conditions, potentially leading to a decline in overall biodiversity.
In summary, the disappearance of bison from the ecosystem can have cascading effects on the elk population, as well as on the wolves and other species within the ecosystem. It can impact the resilience of the ecosystem by reducing its ability to adapt and recover from disturbances. This change can also lead to a decline in overall biodiversity as different species' interactions and habitat conditions are altered.