The diagram below illustrates feeding relationships in an ecosystem in a game reserve. What term is used to describe the feeding relationships illustrated on the diagram above? What do the arrows on the diagram represent?

Here are the answers to your questions:

2.1.1 The term used to describe the feeding relationships illustrated on the diagram is a food web.

2.1.2 The arrows on the diagram represent the flow of energy from one organism to another.

2.1.3

a) Carnivore: Hawk (or Lion, or Hyena)

b) Primary consumer: Rabbit (or Impala, or Buffalo)

2.1.4 Lions and Hyenas would still survive because they have alternative food sources such as Buffalo and Rabbit, even if Impalas were to die out.

2.1.5 The organism most affected by a disease that only kills rabbits would be the Hawk.

2.1.6 The Hawk is affected the most because, according to the food web, rabbits are its only food source.

2.1.7 Poaching of Lions would lead to a decrease in the Lion population. Since Lions and Hyenas compete for the same food sources (Impala, Buffalo, Rabbit), a reduction in Lions would mean less competition for food for the Hyenas. This would likely result in an increase in the number of hyenas.