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 resiliency and biodiversity.
Without bison, the elk population may increase due to less competition for resources. This could lead to overgrazing of vegetation, impacting plant populations. The increase in elk population may also attract more predators, such as wolves, which could impact the predator-prey dynamics within the ecosystem. This change in population dynamics highlights the interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem, and their ability to adapt and respond to changes over time, demonstrating resilience. Additionally, the loss of bison reduces biodiversity within the ecosystem, as it decreases the variety of species present and the interactions between them.
