A trophic cascade is a phenomenon that occurs when changes in the population size or behavior of one species in a food chain or food web have cascading effects on other species in the ecosystem. This can happen when a predator is removed from or introduced to an ecosystem, resulting in a ripple effect across multiple trophic levels.
For example, if there is an increase in the population of predators (top-level consumers) in an ecosystem, they may consume a larger number of herbivores (primary consumers). This can lead to a decrease in herbivore population size and therefore less grazing pressure on plant populations. As a result, the plant populations may experience an increase in abundance. Conversely, if there is a decrease in the population of predators, the herbivore population may increase, leading to overgrazing of plants and potentially altering the structure of the ecosystem.
Trophic cascades can also occur from the bottom-up, where changes in the primary producer population (e.g., plants) affect the herbivore and predator populations. In this case, changes in the plant population can influence the abundance and behavior of herbivores and subsequently impact the predator population.
Trophic cascades play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and functioning of ecosystems. They highlight the interconnectedness of species and the potential for one species' changes to affect the entire ecosystem.
What is a TROPHIC cascade
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