Description: The trophic cascade is an ecological phenomenon that describes how changes in the population of one species can affect other species within a food web. This concept is fundamental to understanding ecosystem dynamics, as it highlights the interconnectedness of different organisms and their environment. In general, if a predator population decreases, this may lead to an increase in the population of herbivores competing for the same food resources. In turn, this can result in overexploitation of these plants, affecting the health of the ecosystem and the survival of various species. The trophic cascade illustrates how changes at one trophic level can have repercussions at other levels, emphasizing the importance of conserving all species within an ecosystem. This phenomenon is also crucial for wildlife management and conservation strategy planning, as it allows ecologists to predict how human interventions, such as hunting or deforestation, can impact endangered species and overall biodiversity.
