Why does the presence of predators help keep an ecosystem stable?
Answers
Predation creates stability by maintaining population levels of the prey organisms at constant levels. The prey also exert an effect on predator.
Answer:
Why are Predators important?
Predators are an important part of a healthy ecosystem. Predators remove vulnerable prey,
such as the old, injured, sick, or very young, leaving more food for the survival and success of
healthy prey animals. Also, by controlling the size of prey populations, predators help slow down
the spread of disease. Predators will catch healthy prey when they can, but catching sick or
injured animals helps in the formation of healthier prey populations because only the fittest
animals survive and are able to reproduce.
In addition, predators help to reduce the negative impacts that their prey may have on the
ecosystem if they become too abundant or it they stayed in one area for too long. When
predators like cheetahs prey on grazing animals like antelope, it keeps the prey population
moving around (in fear) and prevents overgrazing in any one area. As a result, more trees,
shrubs, bushes, and grasses can grow, which then provides habitat for many other species.