What can happen if the population of a specific species in an ecosystem decreases significantly?

When the population of a specific species in an ecosystem decreases significantly, increased competition among the remaining species often occurs as a direct consequence. With fewer individuals of a particular species available, the resources that they utilized (such as food, space, and mating opportunities) become limited. This scenario forces other species that rely on similar resources to compete more intensely for what is available.

In ecosystems, every species plays a role; when one is removed or significantly diminished, the balance is disrupted. The remaining species must adapt to the changes in resource availability and can lead to shifts in the dynamics of interactions, including predation and competition.

While a decrease in population might seem like it could provide an opportunity for increased biodiversity, often, the opposite occurs. A decline in one species can lead to the instability of the ecosystem, as important roles fulfilled by that species are left vacant. Consequently, reduced food chain complexity is also a risk, where fewer species create simpler interactions, potentially leading to ecological stress. Therefore, the most immediate outcome of a significant decrease in a species population is indeed an increase in competition among the remaining species.