Answer :
Final answer:
A keystone species has a large impact on its ecosystem, influencing many other organisms. Two unmentioned examples of possible keystone species are the beaver, which creates wetlands, and the fig trees, which provide food and have a vital pollination relationship with wasps.
Explanation:
A keystone species is an organism that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organisms within the community and helping to determine the types and numbers of various other species in the community. While the concept of keystone species mentioned earlier includes examples like the sea star Pisaster ochraceus and the banded tetra, an unmentioned organism that could be considered a keystone species is the beaver (Castor canadensis). Beavers are ecosystem engineers that create wetlands, which serve as habitats for a multitude of species. They alter the landscape significantly by building dams, which can transform streams into ponds or wetlands. This can increase biodiversity in the ecosystem by providing different habitats and resources for a variety of species. The removal of beavers could lead to less water retention in the environment, potentially decreasing biodiversity and transforming the landscape back to a stream habitat.
Another example could be the fig trees (Ficus spp.), which serve as a keystone species in many tropical ecosystems. Many animals rely on figs as a food source, and fig trees depend on specific wasps for pollination. The interdependence between fig trees and their pollinator wasps creates a critical mutualistic relationship that supports a diverse array of wildlife, influencing the overall species composition of the ecosystem.
