Question

What would happen if all the predators in an area left or became extinct? The ecosystem of the area would become more balanced. The watershed of the area would become healthier. The ecosystem would become imbalanced. The prey animals in the area would become healthier.

Answer 1

The absence of predators in an ecosystem would likely lead to imbalances, resulting in overpopulation of prey species and depletion of vegetation. This demonstrates the role of predators as keystone species in maintaining ecological balance. Therefore, the correct option is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

If all the predators in an area left or became extinct, the ecosystem would likely become imbalanced. Predators are crucial for maintaining the balance within an ecosystem by controlling the population of prey species. Without predators, prey populations could explode, leading to overgrazing or depletion of vegetation, which in turn could harm the health of the prey animals due to a lack of food resources. This phenomenon is known as a trophic cascade. An example of this is the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park, which changed the foraging behavior of elk and led to the regrowth of important vegetation, demonstrating the role of predators as keystone species in maintaining ecological balance.