This interdependence of the populations within a food chain helps to maintain the balance of plant and animal populations within a community. For example, when there are too many zebras; there will be insufficient shrubs and grass for all of them to eat. Many zebras will starve and die. Fewer zebras means more time for the shrubs and grass to grow to maturity and multiply. Fewer zebras also mean less food is available for the lions to eat and some lions will starve to death. When there are fewer lions, the zebra population will increase.