abbits 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.

Answer 1

To determine which animal's absence would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem, we can analyze the role each animal plays within the food web.

1. Rabbits: They are prey for foxes and wolves. If rabbits were absent, foxes and wolves would need to find alternative food sources, which could lead to increased pressure on other prey species.

2. Foxes: They eat rabbits and are also prey for wolves. If foxes were absent, this could lead to an increase in the rabbit population, which might result in overgrazing or overbrowsing, potentially harming vegetation and affecting other species that depend on plants for food or habitat.

3. Deer: Deer are primarily eaten by wolves. If deer were absent, the wolves would lose a food source, but they might adapt by hunting more rabbits and foxes, which could destabilize the population of those species.

4. Wolves: Wolves are apex predators in this scenario. Their absence could lead to uncontrolled populations of both deer and foxes, significantly impacting the entire ecosystem. A lack of wolves can cause deer populations to explode, leading to overgrazing. Additionally, the absence of wolves can disrupt the balance of various species within the ecosystem.

Given this analysis:

• The absence of wolves would likely have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem, as they play a crucial role in regulating the populations of deer and indirectly maintaining the balance of the entire ecosystem. Their removal can lead to numerous cascading effects on vegetation and other species.