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20 votes
20 votes
In areas without the panther as a predator, the prey species are over populating the ecosystem. Deer and other rodents are not being hunted as they were when the panther was around. What are some of the effects of these prey species overpopulating an ecosystem? How could this affect you?

User Sebastian Hajdus
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1 Answer

17 votes
17 votes
Overpopulation of these primary consumers would cause a shortage of their food source, or primary producers. This means there could be endangerment of the food source, plants, and increased competition among the consumers. This would impact humans in that there could be less plant food sources, and yet a surplus of deer and other rodents (which holds some positives and negative results). This is why it is important to have consistent balance in an ecosystem.
I haven’t had biology in about two years but I’m confident in the answer and hope it’s enough.
User Michel Keijzers
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