Apex predators can be defined as the ultimate predator, ranking at the top of the food chain with very few predators of their own. Many animals are considered the be in this group, but many people commonly recognize bears, hawks, eagles, sharks, and wolves.
Although predators are at the top of the food chain, other than humans, these animals are depicted as harsh or a problem to prey, but play a vital role in an ecosystem. Many people would argue that predators need to be removed from an area to protect other animals to keep an ecosystem healthy.
What would result in removing predators altogether?
At first, there will be little to no impact that we, as humans, can see if predators were no longer in an area, making it seem like it was a good thing. You will begin to notice that your animals, livestock, or even other animals in the area are no longer preyed upon. You may even start to see smaller animals, like rabbits, more frequently than before in your yard or garden. What we don’t see is the change in the balance of the food chain, this may come as a surprise, but it can cause complex issues. The biggest thing we will begin to notice is a rapid increase in prey populations. With a larger population, plant growth will begin to decline, since there will be more animals to feed. This can lead to erosion and even complete destruction of the ecosystem in the end.
Another thing we can expect to see is more sick and malnourished animals. With the ecosystem rapidly degrading due to higher populations, animals will no longer be as healthy as they once were. Plants, bodies of water, and many different aspects of the ecosystem will no longer be available to these animals. Without proper nutrition, these animals will begin to die at higher rates or migrate to other locations. Not only will migration put stress on another ecosystem, but it will also begin to affect the animals already found in this location. There is also the possibility that it could become a problem for property owners if they begin to move into yards or farmer’s fields.
Why are predators important?
Both predators and prey are highly important to an ecosystem. When prey is available, predators are found in higher numbers, when there is no prey available, predators are not seen as much. The same goes for predators, when they are found in abundance, prey populations stay balanced. They help to pick out sick or dying animals, increasing the healthiness of the entire prey population. Not only do they control population numbers, but they also help remove mass amounts of animals that will continue to eat every plant in sight, leaving the ecosystem in good condition. This removal may be by predation or encouraging herds to move along to other areas, to rotate them in and out of areas for better restoration of an ecosystem. This not only improves the health of the ecosystem, but it also helps to prevent erosion, leaves smaller plants for other small animals, and allows the plants found in the area to mature for future herds.
Without predators in the area, ecosystems quickly become off balance. Areas become overused and disease-ridden. Both predators and prey are highly important to a healthy ecosystem. We must continue to remember that predation is a part of nature, and although there are ways we can intervene, it is best for predators to continue to do what they were designed to do.
Photos via Unsplash
