1.Increased Rodent Population:
Coyotes are effective predators of rodents like rats and mice. Without coyotes, the rodent populations would likely increase which could lead to increased crop damage and spread of diseases carried by rodents.
2. Reduced Seed Dispersal:
Coyotes play a vital role in dispersing seeds through their feces while rodents mainly consume seeds destroying them. So the decreased coyote population could lead to reduced regeneration and diversity of plants.
3. Impact on Prey Population:
Coyotes prey on certain species like deer, rabbits, and ground squirrels. With the absence of coyotes, these prey species' population might grow in numbers impacting ecosystems by overgrazing and straining habitat resources.
4. Effects on Ecosystem Health:
Coyotes help control the populations of herbivores, which in turn affects plant communities and overall ecosystem health. Loss of coyotes could lead to imbalances in plant-herbivore dynamics impacting biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
5. Spread of Larger Predators:
Coyotes often compete with larger predators like wolves and mountain lions for resources. If coyotes were absent, these larger predators could expand their territories, potentially leading to shifts in predator-prey interactions.
6. Loss of Ecological Services:
Ecosystems benefit greatly from the presence of coyotes. Controlling rodents and keeping ecosystem imbalances check are all services provided by coyotes. Without them, the health and functioning of ecosystems would be affected negatively.
It's important to note that the specific impacts would depend on the local ecosystems where coyotes are found because of the varying roles they play in different habitats.