How the Ecosystem Benefits from Some of the Effects of Natural Predators
The ecosystem depends significantly on natural predators. Human beings do not qualify to be categorized as natural predators due to the extent of damage their effects have on the ecosystem. However, you cannot afford to ignore the importance of other natural predators like birds of prey, wolves, big cats and bears to name just a few in maintaining the balance of our natural environment. This article looks to give more details on the reasons why the ecosystem is so dependent on predators and how we can restore the balance once it is interfered with.
It is a method of population control. There are different levels of natural predators in every natural ecology. They may be significant predators to insects and smaller reptiles, but scorpions are easy prey to more abundant species of reptiles. The predator will always be preyed on until the top of the cycle is reached. This highlights why predators are so important when it comes to maintaining the ecological balance. The predators on the top of the chain are tasked with the purpose of controlling the population of the bigger prey animals. One of the best examples is the projected that was put in place with an aim to bring wolves back to colorado. Not only did it save other species in the are but also the rivers. This move managed to regulate the elk and sweet population that was spanning out of control and restore some of the depleted vegetation that had been grazed on.
The life of the prey animals they hunt depends on predators. It may seem counter-intuitive, but there is a no better example to showcase how effective the design of nature is. If prey such as the deer are allowed to grow into an uncontrollable population, overgrazing becomes unavoidable and it, in turn, leads to the depletion of their food resources. Basically, the existence of predators prevents prey from running out of food and starving. Starvation will kill simultaneously which is uncharacteristic of predators who kill occasionally, and it could cause the death of a whole herd. This outstanding design of nature enables predators to achieve this balance in the ecosystem.
They ensure the survival of carrion animals. Scavengers such as foxes, jackals, beetles and vultures to name just a few depend on the larger predators to provide them food for thru own survival. Once a pack of predator finish their meal, there is another pack that moves in to feed on the remains. Were it not for the critical role they play in the ecosystem; predators would not be able to survive in the wild. Through this role, scavengers are able to add to the balance in the ecosystem.