Imagine that an ecosystem contains rabbits, foxes, wolves, and deer. The following predator-prey relationships exist:
Rabbits are eaten by foxes and wolves.
Deer are eaten by wolves.
Foxes are eaten by wolves.
Select the animal whose absence would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem.
A. fox
B. rabbit
C. wolf
D. deer
C. wolf
The absence of wolves would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem because they are the top predators and help control the populations of both rabbits and deer. Without wolves, the populations of rabbits and deer would likely increase uncontrollably, leading to overgrazing of vegetation and potentially causing a collapse of the ecosystem.