In this ecosystem, the animal whose absence would have the greatest negative effect is the wolf.
Here's why:
- Wolves are at the top of the food chain among the specified animals. Their absence would lead to an increase in the populations of both deer and foxes, which could result in overgrazing and depletion of vegetation due to the increased deer population.
- Additionally, without wolves to control their population, the number of foxes would also increase, leading to further pressure on the rabbit population.
Overall, removing wolves would create a cascade effect that negatively impacts the balance of the entire ecosystem.