Question

The role of predators in an ecosystem is

• A. Help the community by keeping the number of prey from outstripping their resources
• B. Help the prey population by removing the sick and less fit individuals
• C. Enhance species diversity
• D. Reduce the possibility of competitive exclusion
• E. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is E All of the above

Predators keep a check on population size of prey and thereby prevent overuse of resources. Predation removes sick and less fit individual which are more prone to predation as compared to fit individuals. It also prevents its species to become dominant and to reach their carrying capacity thereby making space for coexisting competiting prey species. This in turn increases species diversity and reduces competition exclusion. Thus, the correct answer is option E.