Question

Science

What role do predators play in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem?

A They are primarily responsible for the transfer of nutrients to the plants.
B They are primarily responsible for the cross pollination of plants in the ecosystem.
C They ensure that energy cannot be transferred to the rest of the food web.
D. They ensure that the ecosystem is not stripped entirely of its vegetation.

I chose D. I'm not sure.

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot]

Your answer is incorrect. The correct answer is:

A. They play an important role in controlling the population of prey species, which helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem by preventing any one species from overpopulating and overtaking the others. This, in turn, helps to ensure that there are enough resources (food, water, etc.) available for all species in the ecosystem to survive. Additionally, the presence of predators can influence the behavior and distribution of prey species, which can have a downstream effect on other species in the ecosystem.

Answer 2

[AI-generated answer — Step-by-Step Bot]

The correct answer is D. Predators play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem because they help control the population of prey species. By hunting and consuming other organisms, predators prevent any one species from becoming too dominant and keep the ecosystem in balance. Without predators, certain prey populations may increase dramatically, leading to overgrazing or depletion of resources, which can have negative impacts on the rest of the food web and the overall health of the ecosystem.