Without wolves, the health of forests suffers. What theme of biology does this demonstrate?
Answered on
The statement "Without wolves, the health of forests suffers" demonstrates the theme of biology known as "interdependence of organisms" or "ecological interactions". This concept highlights the fact that in an ecosystem, all organisms are interconnected and depend on each other either directly or indirectly. Wolves, being top predators, play a crucial role in maintaining the structure and health of ecosystems through what is known as a trophic cascade. By preying on herbivores, wolves help regulate their populations, which in turn helps prevent overgrazing and maintains the diversity and productivity of plant communities. This balance influences the entire forest ecosystem, including the availability of habitats for other species and the functioning of nutrient cycles.v