Plants, 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. (4 points) short very short really short

1 answer

With the disappearance of bison, the elk population may increase due to reduced competition for resources. This could lead to overgrazing, adversely affecting plant diversity and potentially causing a decline in other species that rely on those plants. In terms of resiliency, the ecosystem may struggle to rebound if it loses species diversity, as a diverse system is typically more adaptable to changes. Overall, the loss of bison highlights how interconnected species are within an ecosystem, illustrating the importance of biodiversity for maintaining ecological balance and resilience.