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)

Question

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Answer 1

Without the presence of the bison in the ecosystem, the elk population may increase rapidly as they no longer have competition for resources. This can lead to overgrazing of the plants within the ecosystem, resulting in a decrease in plant diversity and ultimately impacting the entire food chain. Additionally, with the bison gone, the wolves may struggle to find enough food to sustain their population, leading to a decline in their numbers as well.

This example illustrates how interconnected species are within an ecosystem, and how the loss of one species can have ripple effects throughout the entire system. In terms of resiliency, a diverse ecosystem is more resilient to changes, as there are more species that can potentially fill in the gap left by a disappearing species. However, if the ecosystem is not diverse enough, the loss of a key species like the bison can have a more devastating impact.

Therefore, biodiversity is crucial for the health and stability of ecosystems, as it allows for more flexibility and adaptability in the face of changes. It is important to protect and preserve biodiversity in order to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of ecosystems.

Answer 2

Beavers, large members of the rodent family in North America, are often referred to as “ecosystem/keystone engineers” by wildlife managers. Ecosystem engineers are described as animals that create, alter, or destroy a habitat. Beavers contribute to river ecosystems by bringing down old and dead trees along riverbanks. They use these trees to make their dams. Although these dams are primarily used for protection and food storage, scientists report that these dams change the surrounding environment in different ways. Given this information, in three to five sentences, describe a potential benefit that beavers contribute to the ecosystem as keystone engineers and describe a plausible impact that the removal of beavers could have on the surrounding ecosystem. (4 points)

Answer 3

One potential benefit that beavers contribute to the ecosystem as keystone engineers is the creation of wetland habitats. The dams they build help to slow down the flow of water, which leads to the formation of ponds and wetlands. These wetland habitats support a diverse range of plant and animal species, contributing to overall biodiversity in the ecosystem.

If beavers were to be removed from the ecosystem, the loss of these keystone engineers could have a significant impact on the surrounding environment. Without the dams built by beavers, the natural flow of rivers may be altered, leading to increased erosion and loss of habitat for various species that depend on wetland habitats. This could result in a decrease in biodiversity and a disruption of the ecosystem's balance.