Identify three ways the extinction of one species affect other organisms?

1. Disruption of food webs: The extinction of one species can disrupt food webs by removing a food source for other species or by eliminating a predator that helps to control the population of another species. For instance, the extinction of sea otters in the North Pacific Ocean led to an overpopulation of sea urchins, which in turn caused a decline in kelp forests.

2. Competition and niche specialization: The extinction of a competing species can release resources, such as food or habitat, that can be utilized by other species. This can lead to increased competition among these species, potentially resulting in changes in their abundance or distribution.

3. Loss of ecosystem services: Many species provide valuable services to ecosystems and human society, such as pollination, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. The extinction of one species can compromise these services and have cascading negative impacts on other organisms and the overall functioning of the ecosystem.