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.
(1 point)
Responses
rabbit
rabbit
deer
deer
fox
fox
wolf
wolf
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wolf
The absence of wolves would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem because they play a critical role in controlling the population of both rabbits and deer. Without wolves, the populations of rabbits and deer would likely increase uncontrollably, leading to overgrazing and potentially destabilizing the entire ecosystem. Wolves are considered a keystone species in this ecosystem, and their absence could have cascading effects on the entire food web.