APrey
BPredator
CDecomposer
DProducer
Answer:
B. Predator
Read Explanation:
Tigers are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain and play a critical role in their ecosystem. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of their role:
1. Population Control:
As apex predators, tigers help regulate the populations of herbivores (like deer, wild boar, and other prey species). By hunting and controlling these populations, tigers prevent overgrazing, which can lead to the depletion of plant life and disrupt the entire ecosystem.
2. Maintaining Species Diversity:
Tigers target the weak, sick, or injured members of prey species. This helps improve the overall health of the prey population, as it eliminates individuals that may otherwise be more prone to disease or genetic problems. This natural selection helps maintain a healthy and diverse population of prey species.
3. Supporting Biodiversity:
By keeping herbivore populations in check, tigers indirectly help preserve plant biodiversity. Without predators like tigers, herbivore populations could explode, leading to overgrazing and the destruction of vegetation, which would negatively affect other species that depend on plants for food and shelter.
4. Affecting the Food Chain:
The presence of tigers helps shape the behavior of other species. Prey animals become more cautious and avoid areas where tigers are active, which can influence the movement patterns of various species in the ecosystem. This can help maintain balance and ensure that resources are used more evenly.
5. Scavenger Role:
While tigers are primarily hunters, they sometimes scavenge from carcasses of other animals. This helps clean up the ecosystem, as scavengers like tigers help recycle nutrients back into the environment.
So, tigers play a vital role in maintaining balance in the ecosystems they inhabit. Without them, their prey populations could spiral out of control, leading to cascading effects that harm other species and the environment itself.