What is compensatory effect?

The compensatory effect refers to a biological or ecological response where an organism or ecosystem compensates for changes or stressors in its environment. For instance, when a species experiences a decline in population, other species may increase in numbers to fill the ecological niche left vacant. This effect can also apply to physiological responses, such as increased heart rate in response to decreased oxygen levels. Overall, it highlights the dynamic adjustments organisms make to maintain balance in their environments.