Final answer:
The removal of predators from an ecosystem can cause ecological imbalances, excessive herbivore populations, vegetation damage, altered habitats, and declines in biodiversity, with wide-reaching effects across various species and human populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Removing predators from an ecosystem can lead to significant ecological imbalances. Without natural predators, herbivore populations may increase unchecked, overgrazing vegetation and altering habitat structures. For instance, in the western United States, decreased cougar populations led to a boom in deer numbers, which in turn affected local vegetation and stream paths, reducing biodiversity.
In Africa, the decline of lions and leopards has caused an upsurge in the number of olive baboons, linking to an increase in disease transfer to humans. Similarly, in the oceans, the reduction in whale populations has led killer whales to shift their diets, causing declines in populations of sea lions, seals, and otters. These examples showcase the profound consequences that ensue when top predators are removed from an ecosystem.