ants, bison, elk, and wolves are all members of an ecosystem. The bison and elk are both primary consumers in this ecosystem, while the wolves are a predator. Over time, the bison completely disappear. Give an example of how the ecosystem may respond to this change, and explain how this relates to both resiliency and biodiversity.

5 sentences would be great. 7 grade level please

1 answer

When the bison disappear from the ecosystem, the elk might increase in number since they no longer have to compete with the bison for food. This increase in elk could lead to overgrazing, where they eat too much of the plants, harming the vegetation in the area. Since there are more elk and fewer bison, wolves might also increase due to having more food available. However, if the plants become too damaged, it could eventually lead to a decline in elk numbers, which means fewer wolves would be supported. This situation shows that a healthy ecosystem relies on diversity—having many species helps it bounce back from changes, showing resiliency against disruptions like the loss of bison.