All Courses
Explore Courses UPSC Exam UPSC Test Series Free Notes EduRev Infinity Get the App Login Join for Free
Sign in Open App
UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >  My doubt is that if humans disappear from the... Start Learning for Free
SaveJoin the Discussion on the App
My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain?
Clear all your UPSC doubts with EduRev
Most Upvoted Answer
My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect th...
Impact of Human Disappearance on Ecosystem and Food Chain
Humans play a significant role in shaping the environment, and their disappearance would have profound effects on the ecosystem and food chain.

1. Ecosystem
- With the absence of human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and urbanization, natural ecosystems would have the opportunity to thrive and regenerate.
- The balance of ecosystems would shift as human-induced disturbances cease, allowing for the recovery of biodiversity and habitats.
- Wildlife populations may experience changes in their dynamics as they adapt to the new environment without human interference.

2. Food Chain
- The food chain would be disrupted initially due to the abrupt removal of human impact on agriculture and livestock.
- Domesticated animals may struggle to survive without human care and support.
- As ecosystems recover, natural food chains would gradually readjust, with predators and prey populations finding a new equilibrium.
- The absence of human hunting and fishing activities would also play a role in reshaping predator-prey dynamics.
In conclusion, the disappearance of humans from the Earth would have a complex and long-lasting impact on the ecosystem and food chain. While it may initially disrupt the balance, over time, natural systems would likely adjust and find a new equilibrium without human influence.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Similar UPSC Doubts

A species that exertsan influence out of proportion to its abundance in an ecosystem is called a keystone species. The keystone species may influence both the species richness of communities and the flow of energy and materials through ecosystems. The sea star Pisaster the flow of energy and materials through ecosystems. The sea star Pisaster ochraceus, which lives in rocky intertidal ecosystems on the Pacific coast of North America, is also an example of a keystone species. Its preferred prey is the mussel Mytilus californianus . In the absence of sea- stars, these mussels crowd out other competitors in a broad belt of the intertidal zone. By consuming mussels, sea star creates bare spaces that are taken over by a variety of other species. A study at the University of washington demonstrated the influence of Pisaster on species richness by removing sea stars from selected parts of the intertidal zone repeatedly over a period of five years. Two major changes occured in the areas from which sea stars were removed. First, the lower edge of the 46. mussel bed extended farther down into the intertidal zone, showing that sea stars are able to eliminate mussels completely where they are covered with water most of the time. Second, and more dramatically, 28 species of animals and algae disappeared from the sea star removal zone. Eventually only Mytilus, the dominant competitor, occupied the entire substratum. Through its effect on competitive relationships, predation by Pisaster largely determines which species live in these rocky intertidal ecosystems.Q. Consider the following assumptions:1. The food chains/food web in an ecosystem are influenced by keystone species.2. The presence of keystone species is a specific characteristic of aquatic ecosystems.3. If the keystone species is completely removed from an ecosystem, it will lead to the collapse of the ecosystem.With reference to the passage, which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

PassageIInvasions of exotic species into new geographical areas sometimes occur naturally without human agency. However, human actions have increased this trickle to a flood. Human caused introductions may occur either accidently or as a consequence of human transport, or intentionally but illegally to serve some private purpose or legitimately to procure some hoped-for public benefit by bringing a pest under control, producing new agricultural products or providing novel recreational opportunities. Many introduced species are assimilated into communities without much obvious effect. However some have been responsible for dramatic changes to native species and native communities. For example, the accidental introduction of the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis into Guam, an island in the pacific, has through nest predation reduced 10 endemic forest bird species to the point of extinction.One of the major reasons for the worlds great biodiversity is the occurrence of centres of endemism so that similar habitats in different parts of the world are occupied by different groups of species that happen it have evolved there. If the species naturally had access to everywhere on the globe, we might expect a relatively small number of successful species to become dominant in each biome. The extent to which this homogenisation can happen naturally is restricted by the limited powers of dispersal of most species in the face of the physical barriers that exist to dispersal. By virtue of the transport opportunities offered by humans, these barriers have been breached by an ever-increasing number of exotic species.The effects of introductions have been to convert a hugely diverse range of local community compositions into something much more homogenous.It would be wrong, however, to conclude that introducing species to a region will inevitably cause a decline in species richness there. For example, there are numerous species of plants, invertebrates and vertebrates found in continental Europe but absent from the British Isles (many because they have so far failed to recolonize after the last glaciations).Their introduction would be likely to augment British biodiversity. The significant detrimental effect noted above arises where aggressive species provide a novel challenge to endemic biotas ill-equipped to deal with them.Q. What can be the impact of invasion of exotic species on an ecosystem?1. Erosion of endemic species.2. Change in the species composition of the community of the ecosystem. Select the correct Solution: using the codes given below

Ecosystems provide people with a variety of goods and services; food, clean water, clean air, flood control, soil stabilization, pollination, climate regulation, spiritual fulfilment and aesthetic enjoyment, to name just a few. Most of these benefits either are irreplaceable or the technology necessary to replace them is prohibitively expensive. For example, potable fresh water can be provided by desalinating sea-water, but only at great cost. The rapidly expanding human population has greatly modified the Earths ecosystems to meet their increased requirements of some of the goods and services, particularly food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel. These modifications have contributed substantially to human well being and economic development. The benefits have notbeen equally distributed. Some people have actually been harmed by these changes. Moreover, short-term increases in some ecosystem goods and services have come at the cost of the long-term degradation of others. For example, efforts to increase the production of food and fibre have decreased the ability of some ecosystems to provide clean water, regulate flooding and support biodiversity.Q. The passage mentions that some people have actually been harmed by these changes. What does it imply?1. The rapid expansion of population has adversely affected some people. 2. Sufficient efforts have not been made to increase the production of food and fibre.3. In the short term some people may be harmed, but in the long term everyone will benefit from modifications In the Earths ecosystems.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Passage - 4A research team examined a long-term owl roost. Owls prey on small mammals and the excreted remains of those meals that accumulated over the time, provide us an insight into the composition and structure of small mammals over the past millennia. The research suggested that when the Earth went through a period of rapid warming about 13,000 years ago, the small mammal community was stable and resilient. But, from the last quarter of the nineteenth century, human-made changes to the environment had caused an enormous dropin biomass and energy flow. This dramatic decline in energy flow means modern ecosystems are not adapting as easily as they did in the past.On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :1. Global warming is a frequently occurring natural phenomenon.2. The impending global warming will not adversely affect small mammals.3. Humans are responsible for the loss of the Earths natural resilience.Q.Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?

Directions for the following 6 (six) items:Read each of the following two passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.Passage-1Ecosystems provide people with a variety of goods and services; food, clean water, clean air, flood control, soil stabilization, pollination, climate regulation, spiritual fulfilment and aesthetic enjoyment, to name just a few. Most of these benefits either are irreplaceable or the technology necessary to replace them is prohibitively expensive. For example, potable fresh water can be provided by desalinating sea-water, but only at great cost. The rapidly expanding human population has greatly modified the Earths ecosystems to meet their increased requirements of some of the goods and services, particularly food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel. These modifications have contributed substantially to human well being and economic development. The benefits have notbeen equally distributed. Some people have actually been harmed by these changes. Moreover, short-term increases in some ecosystem goods and services have come at the cost of the long-term degradation of others. For example, efforts to increase the production of food and fibre have decreased the ability of some ecosystems to provide clean water, regulate flooding and support biodiversity.Q. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements. Expanding humans population has an adverse effect on:1. Spiritual fulfilment 2. Aesthetic enjoyment 3. Potable fresh water 4. Production of food and fibre 5. BiodiversityWhich of the statements given above are correct ?

Top Courses for UPSCView all

Top Courses for UPSC

My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain?
Question Description
My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain?.
Solutions for My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain?, a detailed solution for My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain? has been provided alongside types of My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice My doubt is that if humans disappear from the earth, will it effect the ecosystem and food chain? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses

Suggested Free Tests

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Get App
© EduRev
Education Revolution
Follow Us
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days!
Access 1000+ FREE Docs, Videos and Tests
Takes less than 10 seconds to signup