AMinimal
BSignificant
CModerate
DCatastrophic
Answer:
D. Catastrophic
Read Explanation:
The impact of tiger extinction on the ecosystem would be catastrophic. Tigers are apex predators, and their removal from an ecosystem would trigger a series of negative effects, disrupting the balance in various ways. Here's how:
1. Uncontrolled Prey Populations:
Without tigers to regulate them, herbivore populations (like deer or wild boar) would likely grow uncontrollably. This could lead to overgrazing, which would severely damage plant life and reduce biodiversity, affecting other species that rely on those plants for food and shelter.
2. Cascade Effects:
The absence of tigers could disrupt the food chain. For example, with more herbivores consuming vegetation, smaller animals that depend on plants might lose their food source. The entire food web could become unbalanced, causing ripple effects across the ecosystem.
3. Loss of Biodiversity:
Tigers help maintain biodiversity by keeping populations of certain species in check. Without them, certain species might dominate, while others could become endangered or even extinct due to overpopulation or competition for resources.
4. Disruption of Ecosystem Processes:
Tigers indirectly influence ecosystem processes like seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. As apex predators, their hunting behaviors can shape the movement and behavior of other species, which affects plant growth and other ecological processes. Their absence would alter these dynamics.
In summary, the loss of tigers would throw the entire ecosystem into imbalance, leading to negative consequences for a wide variety of species, including humans.