Final answer:
Ecosystem changes such as increased prey availability, habitat restoration, and the reduction of competing predators can lead to an increase in predator populations like coyotes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ecosystem changes that might lead to an increase in the population of a predator such as a coyote involve factors such as prey availability, habitat restoration, and the presence or absence of other predators. A notable example is the Yellowstone National Park ecosystem, where the reintroduction of wolves, a keystone species, led to a cascade of ecological changes. Predation by wolves altered the behavior and abundance of elk, which in turn allowed vegetation to flourish and changed the physical landscape of the park. This biodiversity increase also affected coyotes, whose populations were initially suppressed by the competition with wolves.
Examples of ecosystem changes that can lead to an increase in predator populations include:
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- Increased prey availability: If the primary prey species of a predator increases in abundance, the predator population is likely to grow as a result of ample food supply.
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- Habitat restoration: Efforts to restore habitats can lead to an increase in the diversity and abundance of species within an ecosystem, providing more resources for predators.
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- The removal or reduction of competing predators: When a competing predator is removed, the remaining predators may experience less competition and have access to more resources, potentially leading to a population increase.
The cycling of predator and prey populations is a natural process, dictated by various ecological factors, including predator-prey dynamics, as seen in the relationship between the lynx and snowshoe hare. Eventually, if the predator population grows too large, a downturn in prey numbers may follow, which could then lead to a downturn in predator numbers, and the cycle repeats.