Control prey populations: Predators prevent prey species from reaching very high densities, which would otherwise destabilize the ecosystem.

Maintain species diversity: By preying on dominant competitors, they reduce inter-specific competition, allowing weaker species to survive (as seen in the starfish experiment).

Prudent in nature: Predators are "wise" because they do not over-exploit their prey; if they killed all the prey, they would eventually die of starvation themselves.

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