Answer :
Final answer:
Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit. Pollinators like honeybees have a mutualistic relationship with flowering plants as they obtain nectar as food while inadvertently transferring pollen, aiding in plant reproduction. Keystone species, such as honeybees, have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem. Honeybees are considered keystone species because their pollination services are crucial for the reproduction of many plant species. Losing a keystone species like pollinators can have severe ecological consequences, leading to a decline in plant populations, disruption of the food chain, and a decrease in biodiversity.
Explanation:
Mutualism and Keystone Species
1. What is mutualism? Explain how pollinators such as honeybees have a mutualistic relationship with flowering plants.
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms involved benefit from the interaction. In the case of pollinators like honeybees and flowering plants, the bees obtain nectar as a food source while inadvertently transferring pollen from one flower to another, aiding in plant reproduction.
2. What is a keystone species? Why are pollinators such as honeybees considered as a keystone species?
A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem compared to its abundance. Pollinators like honeybees are considered keystone species because their pollination services are essential for the reproduction of many plant species. They transfer pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, enabling fertilization and the production of seeds and fruits. Without honeybees, many plants would struggle to reproduce, leading to a decline in plant populations and a ripple effect throughout the food chain.
3. Discuss the ecological impact of losing a keystone species using the example of pollinators.
Losing a keystone species like pollinators can have severe ecological consequences. Honeybees, for example, are responsible for pollinating approximately 80% of flowering plants, including many crops that humans rely on for food. Without pollinators, plants would struggle to reproduce, leading to a decline in plant populations. This decline in plant populations can disrupt the food chain, as many animals depend on plants for food or habitat. Additionally, the loss of pollinators can result in a decrease in biodiversity, as certain plant species may become extinct or rare without their pollinators. Overall, the loss of pollinators as a keystone species can have far-reaching effects on ecosystem functioning and stability.
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