Can lead to ecosystem collapse or significant changes in community structure and function.

Reduced plant biomass, soil erosion, habitat loss, and changes in plant species composition.

Can decimate native prey populations that lack defenses, leading to ecological imbalances.

Can lead to resource partitioning, natural selection, or the exclusion of less competitive species.

Loss of producers, reduced biodiversity, disruption of food webs, and decreased carbon sequestration.

Bioaccumulation of toxins in higher trophic levels, reduced biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystem functions.

Changes in species distribution, altered timing of life cycle events, and mismatches in predator-prey interactions.

Nutrient cycling slows down, organic matter accumulates, and the availability of nutrients for producers decreases.

Only about 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next; the rest is lost as heat.

When species divide a niche to avoid direct competition for resources.

Predators control prey populations, preventing overpopulation; prey evolve defenses.

They recycle nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter, making nutrients available for producers.

They convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

Limits the length of food chains because energy is lost as heat at each trophic level.

They maintain the structure and function of the community; their removal can lead to ecosystem collapse.

A food chain is a simple linear sequence, while a food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains.

Species better adapted to access resources are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits.

Scavengers consume dead animals, which helps to remove decaying matter and prevent the spread of disease.

Energy flows from producers to consumers, with approximately 10% being transferred to each successive level, and the rest lost as heat.

Limits the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem and results in fewer top predators.

Can lead to a trophic cascade and significant changes in community structure and biodiversity.

Reduces plant biomass, leads to soil erosion, and can alter plant species composition.

Can lead to resource partitioning or exclusion of one species from the habitat.

Can help restore balance in the ecosystem by reducing overgrazing and allowing plant communities to recover.

Can control prey populations, but may also disrupt the existing food web and impact other species.

Reduces the number of producers, impacting the entire food web and decreasing biodiversity.

Can accumulate in higher trophic levels (biomagnification), harming top predators.

Alters species distributions and behaviors, potentially disrupting established interactions.

Can lead to their decline or extinction, causing cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.