The decline of top predators such as wolves, sharks and lions is threatening to drive other species to extinction, according to a new study that shows for the first time the importance of large animals in the ecosystem.
The top tier predators are often wrongly viewed seen as being so high up the food chain they have little effect on what happens beneath them.
In fact, they are vital – and losing the top predators could represent 'the most powerful impacts humans have ever had on Earth's ecosystems', according to the report in Science.
The process by which the apex beasts affect the rest of the ecosystem is called a 'trophic cascade', whereby their loss has a consequence on everything beneath them.
Professor William Ripple, of Oregon State University, said hunting larger animals to the edge of extinction takes away habitat and food from other animals. For example beavers are needed for tree growth, insects feed on large mammals and kills and whales provide a place for small fish to live. The death of larger animals also takes away the balance of the system, for example sharks being replaced by rays.
"We now have overwhelming evidence that large predators are hugely important in the function of nature, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, the tropics to the Arctic.
"In a broad view, the collapse of these ecosystems has reached a point where this doesn't just affect wolves or aspen trees, deforestation or soil or water.
"These predators and processes ultimately protect humans. This isn't just about them, it's about us."
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8471054/Loss-of-large-predators-risk-death-of-ecosystems.html
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