In a forest ecosystem of Grass → Impala → Hyena, if all the Hyenas are taken away, what will happen ultimately?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Impala will die of starvation due to higher population.
In the forest ecosystem of Grass → Impala → Hyena, Hyenas are the top predators controlling the Impala population. If all Hyenas are removed, the Impala population will increase rapidly due to the absence of predation. This overpopulation will lead to overgrazing, as Impalas consume more grass than the ecosystem can regenerate.
Consequently, the grassland will be severely depleted, reducing food availability. Eventually, the Impalas will face starvation because the carrying capacity of the environment cannot support their inflated numbers. Thus, removing the top predator disrupts the balance, demonstrating the importance of predators in regulating prey populations and maintaining ecosystem stability.