Role+of+Predation

You might be thinking that predation is a bad thing because animals eat other animals which may cause certain animals to become endangered. However, predation is actually a very important factor in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Predation helps maintain normal population numbers and keeps the ecosytem from becoming overpopulated. Predation helps keep Arthur's Pass healthy.


 * Examples**:

1. There is a large amount of Mountain Weta located in Arthur's Pass National Park. These numbers are maintained mainly by the ferocious Kea. The Kea helps make sure that the number of Weta stay at a normal rate. Other animals also feed upon the Weta, but the Kea is the main predator.

2. Another predation role occurs with the Mountain beech. This plant produces flowers which produce honeydew. The Bellbird eats this honeydew. If the Bellbird didn't feed on the honeydew, the plant may increase in population because nothing is eating it's nutrients, or it may decrease because no organisms are using its' honeydew.