Imagine 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.

Question

Rabbit
Fox
Wolf
Deer

Answer 1

The absence of wolves would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem. Wolves serve as the top predator in this scenario, and their presence helps to regulate the population of both rabbits and deer. Without wolves, the populations of rabbits and deer could become out of control, leading to overgrazing and potential ecosystem collapse.