Final answer:
When a population of species falls below a critical threshold, it can lead to the risk of extinction and impact ecosystem balance. For example, if the population of wolves decreases too much, it may disrupt the predator-prey balance in their ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a population of species falls below a certain critical threshold, it can lead to various negative consequences. One such consequence is the risk of extinction. If the population size decreases too much, the species may not be able to recover and could ultimately go extinct. This can have significant impacts on ecosystems and the balance of biodiversity.
Example: Let's consider a population of wolves. If their numbers fall below a critical threshold, it may disrupt the predator-prey balance in their ecosystem. With fewer wolves, herbivore populations could increase rapidly, which may lead to overgrazing and negatively impact plant communities.