The Role of Predators

There is a big dispute right now about who in the food chain has a bigger affect on biodiversity. There are many studies supporting that predators have a big role in keeping species at a fixed amount, or an amount that we are use to. Studies have shown that hunting of sea otters makes tremendous difference in the amount of kelp forest in certain areas. Taking some of these predators out of the picture really can make a difference and imbalance in species in certain areas, one study shows that when there is a loss of great sharks it causes a sudden increase in sting rays, which then causes a sudden decrease in scallop fishery. Researchers have yet to do anything in large scale areas because of having to secure the money and means to do any study of removing the predator.