Final answer:
The elimination of a predator from an ecosystem typically results in an increase in its prey's population due to the absence of predation. However, over time, this may lead to resource scarcity and a potential decrease in the prey population due to overpopulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a predator is eliminated from an ecosystem, its prey’s population will likely increase due to the absence of predation. This is because the predator-prey relationship maintains the balance between their populations. Without predators, there is less mortality among the prey species, allowing their numbers to grow. Eventually, this can lead to overpopulation and the depletion of resources, which might then cause a decline in the prey population due to other factors such as starvation or disease.
Adaptations to predation and the role of predators as keystone species are crucial in preventing a single species from becoming too dominant. It helps to maintain the balance of organisms in an ecosystem, such as how grazers in grasslands prevent grass from growing out of control. When a top predator disappears, primary consumers can multiply without restriction, though this won't last indefinitely due to the finite nature of resources in any ecosystem.
To summarize the process, initially after the predator is removed, the prey population undergoes a growth spurt. Over time, however, the ecosystem may become unbalanced, and the prey population may face issues related to overpopulation and resource scarcity, potentially leading to a later decrease in their numbers.