SCIENCE: BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH QUICK CHECK.
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. DEER
2. FOX
3. WOLF
4. RABBIT
3. WOLF
The absence of wolves would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem. Wolves play a crucial role in controlling the populations of both rabbits and deer, which helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem. If wolves were removed, there could be an overpopulation of rabbits and deer, leading to ecosystem degradation and potential extinction of certain species.