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Predators
can impact ecosystems through the process of 'top-down' control, at times
resulting in changes in species composition, changes in species diversity,
and regime shifts. Top predators can also help stabilize ecosystems by
keeping under control the effects of more abundant smaller predators.
Accordingly, understanding predators is essential to understanding how
ecosystems function. The Conservation Science Institute's Ocean Initiative's
predators program is a science-based research and management program focused
on the application of cutting-edge whole ecosystem research and monitoring.
The program incorporates modeling approaches for the purpose of promoting
marine conservation and ecosystem considerations into ecosystem
decision-making.
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Transient orca has attacked and killed this Dalls
porpoise. When this photo was taken the orca seemed to be making a game
of the capture.
Photo by Eva Saulitis. |
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