Over time, this makes for a stronger and healthier population in the prey species.īeyond that, prey species can be their own worst enemies when populations are allowed to grow unchecked. Predators work to remove the weak and the ill from prey populations. This might seem logical on the surface, but it is more complicated than that. Many people might think it would be great for prey species if the predators disappeared. This can then have a cascading effect on the ecosystem that will lead to dramatic changes that can affect all species. As an example, it could lead to them overhunting a prey species that would have supported them when their population and activities were kept under control by the presence of the apex predator. When this occurs, the exploding population of smaller predators can be destructive to the ecosystem. If an apex predator is wiped out or greatly diminished, it can lead to a phenomenon known as mesopredator release. The presence of apex predators helps to keep the populations and activities of smaller predators in check. As an example, you might have wolves as the apex predator, but then you could also have cats or foxes as the mesopredators. In many cases, you may have apex predators, but you will also have a range of smaller predators. The food web in any ecosystem is complex. In this post, we are going to look at some of the reasons we need apex predators. Why are apex predators important? In short, they help to maintain the balance in the ecosystem. In fact, many of them are known as keystone species because their absence could lead to the destruction of the ecosystems in which they exist. Whether you are talking about ocean apex predators like orcas or land predators like tigers, they serve a key function in their habitat. What many of these people may not realize is that apex predators are important for the health of the planet. With this sort of reputation, many people have little sympathy for any apex predator species. Farmers might also want to hunt wolves to protect livestock and any shark attack tends to make big news. in actuality, they are simply behaving the way they have been biologically designed to in order to protect their kind, and to ensure ecosystems function as normal. These predators are branded aggressive and violent. Top apex predators such as polar bears often get an unfair reputation.
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