Final answer:
In a ternary world without tertiary consumers, there would be an imbalance leading to the potential collapse of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. This concept is analogous to the need for sustainable practices in human society to prevent environmental degradation and maintain a supportive biosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
What would life be like in a ternary world refers to a world where a third primary consumer level in a food web, also known as tertiary consumers, is lacking. In such a scenario, the absence of tertiary consumers would lead to an imbalance in the ecosystem.
Without these top predators, there would be an overabundance of secondary consumers, which would overconsume primary producers (plants). This could lead to a drastic reduction in vegetation and a collapse in the food web. The life that depends on these systems would suffer, potentially leading to extinction events and loss of biodiversity.
This scenario can also be related to sustainability challenges faced by human societies. Overexploitation of resources and the resulting environmental degradation are similar issues that could lead to a compromised biosphere incapable of supporting human populations. Thus, whether in a biological or human context, maintaining balance through sustainable practices is crucial for the well-being of all life.