Question

Imagine that an ecosystem contains, rabbits, foxes, wolves, and deer. The following predator-prey relationships exist:
• rabbits are eaten by foxes and wolves
• dear are eaten by wolves
• foxes are eaten by wolves
Select the animal, whose absence would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem.
A. Wolf.
B. Dear.
C. Rabbit.
D. Fox.

Answer 1

A. Wolf.

The absence of wolves would lead to a rapid increase in the population of both deer and rabbits, which would in turn cause overgrazing and depletion of vegetation, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. Additionally, the absence of wolves would remove a significant predator that helps control the populations of both foxes and rabbits. Thus, the absence of wolves would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem.