Question

A keystone species is a species whose activities play a significant role in maintaining balance within the ecosystem. The jaguar, a keystone species in South America, has significantly decreased in number due to overhunting and habitat loss. How could this reduction in jaguar numbers most likely impact the ecosystem?

A. Mid-level predator population size would increase
B. Producer population sizes would increase due to more consumers
C. Decomposer population size would increase due to more deceased jaguars
D. Smaller predator populations would decrease in size due to more food becoming available

Answer 1

A reduction in jaguar numbers could lead to smaller predator populations decreasing due to more food becoming available.

Step-by-step explanation:

A reduction in jaguar numbers, a keystone species in South America, would most likely have a major impact on the ecosystem. One possible impact is that smaller predator populations would decrease in size due to more food becoming available. This is because jaguars play a role in controlling the population of prey species, such as deer or rabbits. With fewer jaguars, these prey populations could increase, resulting in less food availability for smaller predators.