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. rabbit
B. deer
C. fox
D. wolf
D. wolf
The wolf plays a crucial role as the top predator in this ecosystem. If wolves were to be absent, the population of foxes would likely increase significantly, leading to a decline in rabbit populations. Without wolves to control the deer population, deer numbers would soar, causing overgrazing and disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. Wolves help regulate the populations of all other species in this ecosystem, so their absence would have the greatest negative effect.