Ecology
Trophic Cascades
Indirect effects that propagate down the food chain when top predator populations change. Removing predators can trigger dramatic ecosystem-wide changes through multiple links.
Biological Context
Removing wolves from Yellowstone allowed elk to overgraze riverbanks, causing erosion and stream degradation. Wolf reintroduction reversed these changes. Sea otter removal allowed urchins to destroy kelp forests. Trophic cascades reveal hidden ecological connections.
Business Application
Market trophic cascades: removing a dominant competitor can trigger unexpected changes throughout the value chain. The effects of antitrust action or market leader failure cascade through suppliers, customers, and complementors.