Question

Predation is referred to as a detrimental interaction. Explain any three positive roles, supported by an example each, that a predator plays in an ecosystem.

Hint:

Predators maintain ecosystem balance by controlling prey populations, promoting biodiversity, and ensuring the stability of food webs.

Answer 1

Although predation is considered a detrimental interaction for prey, predators play several positive roles in an ecosystem, such as:
1. Maintaining Population Control: Predators prevent overpopulation of prey species, ensuring a balance in the ecosystem. Example: Wolves in Yellowstone National Park control the population of deer, preventing overgrazing of vegetation.
2. Promoting Biodiversity: Predators help maintain species diversity by preventing the dominance of any single prey species. Example: Starfish predation on mussels allows other species to thrive in intertidal zones.
3. Regulating Food Web Dynamics: Predators play a key role in regulating food web dynamics, preventing the collapse of ecosystems. Example: Tigers regulate the populations of herbivores like deer in forests, ensuring the sustainability of vegetation.