Which factor is essential for maintaining a balanced aquatic ecosystem?

Natural predators play a vital role in maintaining a balanced aquatic ecosystem by helping regulate populations of various aquatic organisms, such as algae, invertebrates, and fish. Predators ensure that no single species becomes overly dominant, which helps maintain biodiversity. This balance is crucial for the overall health of the ecosystem, as it prevents overgrowth of certain species that can lead to problems such as oxygen depletion or harmful algal blooms.

In contrast, high levels of nutrients can sometimes lead to eutrophication, which disrupts the balance by promoting excessive plant and algae growth, thereby harming aquatic life. Frequent human intervention can often disturb natural processes and create imbalances rather than restore them. Regular harvesting of aquatic plants, while potentially beneficial for managing specific species, may also disrupt the ecosystem if not done thoughtfully and sustainably. Therefore, natural predators are essential for keeping these dynamics in check and supporting a healthy aquatic environment.