Where a high wolf population leads to resource scarcity and subsequent population decline, best exemplifies the stabilizing role of negative feedback in maintaining equilibrium within an ecosystem. Here option C is correct.
Negative feedback is a crucial mechanism in ecosystems to maintain equilibrium and stability. It counteracts changes by triggering responses that dampen or reverse the initial disturbance.
As the wolf population faces scarcity, their numbers start to decline due to insufficient food and other essential factors. This decline alleviates pressure on resources, allowing the ecosystem to recover.
Unlike positive feedback loops that amplify changes, negative feedback loops act as stabilizing mechanisms. Option A describes a positive feedback loop where an increase in prey population leads to an increase in predator population, potentially resulting in further pressure on prey. Here option C is correct.
Complete question:
Which of the following examples demonstrates how negative feedback helps an ecosystem achieve equilibrium?
A - Prey population increases, leading to an increase in the predator population.
B - The atmosphere warms, causing sea ice to melt, which results in the ocean absorbing more heat and causing further ice melting.
C - A population of wolves becomes too high, leading to scarce resources and a subsequent population decline.
D - A flood destroys a population of organisms.