Years ago, wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone Park. Research showed that these
wolves could help stabilize the declining ecosystem. What type of factors are wolves in the
ecosystem?
Limiting factors
Biotic factors
Competitive factors
Abiotic factors
Biotic factors (specifically, they are predators that influence the population dynamics of their prey species)
Wolves in the ecosystem can be considered as all of the following factors:
1. Limiting factors: Wolves can act as a limiting factor in the ecosystem by controlling the population of their prey species, such as elk or deer. This helps to prevent these prey populations from overgrazing and negatively impacting the vegetation and other species in the ecosystem.
2. Biotic factors: Wolves are living organisms and, therefore, considered as biotic factors in the ecosystem. They are a top predator and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and diversity of the ecosystem.
3. Competitive factors: Wolves may also be considered as competitive factors within the ecosystem. They compete with other predators, such as bears and coyotes, for food and territory. This competition helps regulate population sizes and ensure the overall stability of the ecosystem.
4. Abiotic factors: Wolves do not directly fall under the category of abiotic factors. Abiotic factors refer to the non-living components of an ecosystem, such as temperature, rainfall, soil composition, etc. While wolves do not fall into this category, they can have indirect effects on abiotic factors. For example, their presence can influence the behavior and movements of their prey species, which may then affect vegetation growth and indirectly influence abiotic factors.