Predators are important for ecosystems because they

(a) keep the prey population under control.

(b) help in maintaining species diversity.

(c) are used in biological control methods for pest control in agriculture.

(d) reduce the intensity of competition among competing prey species.

Which of the above are correct?

Predators act as ‘conduits’ for energy transfer across trophic levels. They keep prey populations under control. Without predators, prey species can achieve very high population densities and cause ecosystem instability. Biological control methods adopted in agricultural pest control are based on the ability of the predator to regulate prey population. Predators also help in maintaining species diversity in a community, by reducing the intensity of competition among competing prey species. If a predator is too efficient and overexploits its prey, then the prey might become extinct and following it, the predator will also become extinct for lack of food. This is the reason why predators in nature are ‘prudent’.