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, and explain how this relates to both resilience and biodiversity.
One possible response to the disappearance of bison in the ecosystem may be an increase in the elk population. With one of the primary food sources gone, the elk may have more available resources, leading to a population boom. This increase in elk population could potentially lead to overgrazing of vegetation, which may have negative effects on other species in the ecosystem, such as plants and smaller herbivores that rely on the same vegetation for food and shelter.
This example relates to resilience in that the ecosystem's ability to respond and adapt to changes is being tested. Without the bison, the ecosystem must adjust to the new conditions and find a new balance without them. The increase in the elk population is a response to this change, but it may have repercussions that could affect the overall health and stability of the ecosystem.
In terms of biodiversity, the disappearance of the bison could also impact the overall diversity of species in the ecosystem. Bison play a unique role as large herbivores that graze on certain types of vegetation, creating a mosaic of habitats that support a variety of plant and animal species. Without bison, this diversity may be reduced, as other species may not be able to fill the same ecological niche. This loss of biodiversity could have cascading effects on the ecosystem as a whole, affecting its resilience and ability to withstand further disturbances.
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 riverbanks. They use these trees to make their dams. Although these dams are primarily used for protection and food storage, scientists report that these dams change the surrounding environment in different ways.
Given this information, in three to five sentences, describe a potential benefit that beavers contribute to the ecosystem as keystone engineers and describe a plausible impact that the removal of beavers could have on the surrounding ecosystem.
One potential benefit that beavers contribute to the ecosystem as keystone engineers is the creation of wetland habitats. The dams they build slow down the flow of water, leading to the formation of ponds and wetlands that provide habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. These wetlands also help to improve water quality and regulate water levels in the surrounding area.
If beavers were removed from the ecosystem, the loss of their dam-building activities could have several negative impacts on the surrounding environment. Without beavers creating dams, there may be a decrease in the formation of wetlands, leading to a loss of important habitat for wildlife. Additionally, the absence of beavers could disrupt the natural flow of rivers and streams, potentially leading to increased erosion and altered water quality in the ecosystem. Overall, the removal of beavers could have cascading effects on the health and stability of the surrounding ecosystem.