Answer :
Final answer:
Keystone species play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and upholding ecological community structure. For example, the intertidal sea star affects mussel populations, leading to changes in species composition. The banded tetra supplies phosphorus to the community and its extinction would have significant implications.
Explanation:
A keystone species is one whose presence is key to maintaining biodiversity within an ecosystem and upholding the structure of an ecological community. An example of a keystone species is the intertidal sea star, Pisaster ochraceus, found in the northwestern United States. Removing this species from communities can cause an increase in populations of its natural prey, mussels, which leads to changes in the species composition and a reduction in biodiversity.
Another example is the banded tetra, a fish in tropical streams that plays a crucial role by supplying nearly all of the phosphorus, a necessary nutrient, to the rest of the community. If these fish were to become extinct, the community would be greatly affected.
Answer:
(Answers may vary.)
I think that lions and tigers would be considered keystone species because of their role as apex predators in their natural habitats. They are at the top of the food chain and help to maintain balance within the food chain. They commonly hunt herbivores such as deer, antelopes, gazelles, and zebras, which keeps their populations in check. In fact, these big cats are the only predators able to take down large herbivores such as elephants and giraffes. However, such attacks are rare and risky. Without these predators, elephants and giraffes would deplete food sources from other animals having a top-down effect on the entire ecosystem.
Explanation:
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