Populations of typical prey animals, such as deer, might exceed the carrying capacity of an ecosystem if top predators, such as mountain lions, are removed.
Without the mountain lions, increased numbers of deer may reduce the food supply available to other herbivores, such as field mice and crickets. As a result, populations of mice and crickets might decline, causing a similar decline in species that feed on these organisms.
This example implies that properly functioning predator/prey relationships
A.
can throw an ecosystem out of balance.
B.
maintain balance within an ecosystem.
C.
harm all of the organisms in an ecosystem.
D.
result in food shortage for the entire ecosystem.