- A By eliminating nearly every prey species gradually from the community over time
- B By reducing the intensity of competition among prey species, sometimes acting as keystone species
- C By directly increasing the overall carrying capacity of all prey populations present
- D Predators are sometimes thought to exert little measurable influence on overall community diversity
Correct answer: B. By reducing the intensity of competition among prey species, sometimes acting as keystone species
Explanation: Predators can keep certain prey populations in check, reducing competitive pressure among prey species and thereby maintaining higher overall species diversity; some predators act as keystone species.
Concept context
How organisms interact with abiotic factors and respond to stress, plus population attributes, growth models, and interspecific interactions such as predation, competition, and mutualism.