What dramatically changes when Whelk are removed from the simulated system?

When Whelk are removed from the simulated system, the population dynamics of their prey species, such as mussels and other shellfish, can dramatically increase due to the absence of predation. This population explosion can lead to overgrazing of available resources, resulting in a decline in habitat quality and biodiversity. Additionally, the removal of Whelk disrupts the ecological balance, potentially causing cascading effects throughout the food web, impacting other species and the overall health of the ecosystem.