Understanding the Effects of Sex Ratio Variations on Ecosystem Sustainability and Environmental Quality

Abstract

Ecosystem sustainability and environmental quality, essential for life, are influenced by various factors, including the critical but often overlooked aspect of the population sex ratio. This study offers an in-depth analysis of how sex ratio variations in lamprey populations affect ecosystem health, using a logistic model to simulate changes under different conditions. By integrating key factors such as food supply and reproduction rates into a sex ratio model, we demonstrate the substantial impact of sex dominance shifts on environmental indicators and ecosystem well-being. Our research highlights the cascading effects of altered ecological balances and food chains on reproductive success and habitat utilization, ultimately affecting ecosystem stability. The findings reveal the intricate relationship between sex ratio changes and ecosystem health, indicating that imbalanced sex ratios can amplify ecological vulnerabilities, reduce biodiversity, and weaken habitat resilience.