High School

Identify the fact below that best describes the critical difference between a keystone species and a dominant species (often also called a foundation species).

A. Keystone species have a low level of biomass within the community, while dominant species have a high level of biomass.
B. Dominant species are always top-level predators.
C. Keystone species are omnivores, while foundation species are always producers.
D. Keystone species have a high abundance and/or biomass within the community, while dominant/foundation species generally have a low level of biomass.

Answer :

The critical difference between a keystone species and a dominant species lies in their relative abundance and biomass within a community.

A keystone species is characterized by its high abundance and/or biomass within the community. Despite its numerical or biomass dominance, the keystone species plays a disproportionately influential role in maintaining the structure and functioning of the ecosystem.

The removal or significant decline of a keystone species can have cascading effects on other species and ecological processes, potentially leading to dramatic changes in the ecosystem.

On the other hand, a dominant species, also known as a foundation species, may not necessarily have high abundance or biomass. Instead, it holds a critical ecological role due to its strong influence on the physical or environmental conditions of the habitat.

Foundation species often shape the physical structure of the ecosystem, providing resources and creating habitats that support a variety of other species.

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