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.
The absence of wolves would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem. Wolves are at the top of the food chain in this scenario, preying on both deer and foxes. Without wolves, the populations of deer and foxes would likely increase uncontrollably, leading to overgrazing of plant life by the deer and potential depletion of rabbit populations due to the increased number of foxes. This disruption in the balance of predator-prey relationships could have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem. Wolves play a crucial role in maintaining the overall health and balance of the ecosystem by regulating the populations of their prey animals.
