Answer :
Final answer:
A keystone species is vital for sustaining biodiversity within an ecosystem. Removing such a species can disrupt the food web, leading to overpopulation of certain species and a decrease in biodiversity. This illustrates the importance of keystone species in maintaining ecological balance.
Explanation:
Understanding Keystone Species
A keystone species is one whose presence is critical to maintaining biodiversity within an ecosystem and supporting the structure of a community. A prime example is the intertidal sea star, Pisaster ochraceus, found in the northwestern United States. Studies indicate that when this starfish is removed, the populations of its natural prey, namely mussels, experience significant increases, leading to drastic changes in species composition and a reduction in biodiversity.
Consequences of Removal
When a keystone species is removed from an ecosystem, the effects can be profound:
- The absence of the keystone species can lead to an unchecked increase in prey populations, resulting in overconsumption of resources, such as algae in the case of Pisaster ochraceus.
- This shift can cause a domino effect, where other species that depend on the balance of the ecosystem either decline or flourish, ultimately altering the entire ecological community.
In another example, the banded tetra, a fish from tropical streams, plays a significant role by providing essential nutrients like phosphorus. If these fish were to become extinct, their absence would detrimentally impact the entire community.
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