What happens in an ecosystem if a new herbivore is introduced?

An ecosystem has various elements and the element of interest for this particular question is the food chain. A food chain has various levels, starting from producers to top consumers (carnivores). In simpler terms, plants produce food through photosynthesis and are at the lowest level. Herbivores, such as deer, eat the plants and are first level consumers. Carnivores, such as lion, eats deer and are higher level consumers. If we make modifications at any level,...

An ecosystem has various elements and the element of interest for this particular question is the food chain. A food chain has various levels, starting from producers to top consumers (carnivores). In simpler terms, plants produce food through photosynthesis and are at the lowest level. Herbivores, such as deer, eat the plants and are first level consumers. Carnivores, such as lion, eats deer and are higher level consumers. If we make modifications at any level, all the levels are disturbed. For example, if we introduce a new herbivore (which is suited to the given ecosystem), number of primary consumers will increase and the rate of consumption of plants, grass, etc. will also increase. This would result in less food for other herbivores and depletion of plants over time. Another change would be the extra food for predators, whose population will grow. However, over time, decreased plants and increased predator population will result in shuffling of the food chain and herbivore population would be controlled within acceptable levels, and a new equilibrium will be established.

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