|
Role of PredationPredation is crucial for an environment to be healthy. Predators limit the population of other consumers and other lower tropic level predators if applicable. Without predation the population of primary consumers would increase and overpopulate which would increase the competition for resources. The competition for resources would greatly damage the population of the rampant primary consumers and a domino effect would ensure for the competition for resources. Cross species competition would be visible and a once rich environment would soon see itself experience many extinctions. (34)
|
Predator-Prey RelationshipsPredator-Prey relationships are relationships between two consumers, which transfer energy from the organism on a lower tropic level to a higher trophic level. (34)
Opossum and the American Burying Beetle (and other insects)
Opossum's, like brown bears, are omnivores and can eat either insects or berries found along the lower levels of the forest. The opossum is a secondary consumer and the insects are primary consumers. The opossum's are nocturnal creatures that help them to avoid becoming prey themselves. This predator prey relationship like most relationships limits the total population of each organism while the opossum could find other food sources if the population of insects dropped too low. (34) |
Brown Bear and Fish (mainly brook trout)
The brown bear is a tertiary consumer. Brown bears are omnivores and usually prey on either brook trout or berries found in the fourth level of plants. Brown bears catch fish in ponds and rivers. This relationship limits the population of the brook trout but does not have a large effect on the bear as the bear can find other food sources if the population of trout is low. (34) Northern Copperhead and Rodents
Northern copperheads are tertiary consumers that feed on mice and other rodents. The rodents are primary consumers. The northern copperhead is not an omnivore the rodents are its only source of food source and the rodent population has a direct impact on the population of the snakes. (34) |