Figure 3.5 Key living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components of an ecosystem in a field.
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In the accompanying figure, notice that the fox (secondary consumer) is in the process of pouncing on the rabbit. If humans were to remove that predator (fox), what would be the effects on the rest of the ecosystem? Be as specific as possible.

What will be an ideal response?


The loss of a predator in an ecosystem results in an imbalance in the system. The primary consumer is freed from the environmental pressure of predation and increases its population. The increased population puts additional pressure on the producers, potentially reducing their viability. The rabbit's food source will eventually decline, possibly resulting in increased death in the rabbit population. Decomposers will have additional food sources and may increase in population. Other prey populations, held in check by the fox, may also experience the same changes.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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