Final answer:
The statement that predation always negatively impacts individual prey is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that predation always has a negative effect on individual prey is false. While it is true that the individual prey suffers by being killed and consumed, the broader implications of predation on prey populations and ecosystems can sometimes be positive. Predation can regulate prey populations, thus preventing overpopulation and ensuring the balance of ecosystems. For example, seed predation by certain species can be harmful to the individual seeds but can benefit the overall plant populations through seed dispersal. Additionally, the presence of predators can lead to healthier prey populations by culling the sick and weak, and can contribute to the biodiversity of an ecosystem, as in the case of wolves in Yellowstone National Park influencing a variety of other species and plants through the control of elk populations.