magine that an ecosystem contains rabbits, foxes, wolves, and deer. The following predator-prey relationships exist:

Rabbits 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.



(1 point)
Responses

wolf
wolf

fox
fox

deer
deer

rabbit
rabbit

1 answer

The animal whose absence would have the greatest negative effect on the ecosystem is the wolf.

Wolves are apex predators in this scenario, controlling the populations of both deer and foxes. Their absence would lead to an increase in these populations, which could result in overgrazing of vegetation (from the deer), potentially disrupting the entire ecosystem balance. Additionally, the increase in fox population without wolves would lead to a higher predation rate on rabbits, which could further destabilize the ecosystem.