In the latter case the resistance is caused by dissipation of mechanical energy when the configuration or the direction of flow is sharply changed, by the formation of vortices and secondary flows as a result of the flow breaking away, by the centrifugal forces, etc.
Animals depend on plants for food as plants produce food and energy which animals can't, so, herbivores eat plants to get energy, carnivores eat herbivores and other carnivores for energy and omnivores eat all four, plants, herbivores, carnivores and also other omnivores for energy.
If the plants die, animals that depend on them will die. If the animals that depend on the plants die, any animals that depend on those animals will die. Ecosystems in nature work the same way. All the parts work together to make a balanced system!