EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Predators keep the prey population under control. The prey species could achieve very high population densities and cause ecosystem instability in the absence of predators. Predators also help in maintaining species diversity in a community, by reducing the intensity of competition among competing prey species.

Detailed explanation-2: -Predators have profound effects throughout their ecosystems. Dispersing rich nutrients and seeds from foraging, they influence the structure of ecosystems. And, by controlling the distribution, abundance, and diversity of their prey, they regulate lower species in the food chain, an effect known as trophic cascades.

Detailed explanation-3: -Summary. Most animals face predation pressure and must avoid or defend themselves against predators in order to survive and successfully reproduce – an important determinant of fitness. In addition to physical traits such as armor and camouflage, animals use behavior to avoid and survive predation.

Detailed explanation-4: -As predator populations increase, they put greater strain on the prey populations and act as a top-down control, pushing them toward a state of decline. Thus both availability of resources and predation pressure affect the size of prey populations.

Detailed explanation-5: -It is generally assumed that predators suppress prey populations through consumption: that predators are reducing prey population growth by killing and eating prey individuals.