Answer :
The populations of other species in the ecosystem would fluctuate dramatically. Thus, option "B" is correct.
What is the role of keystone species?
When an organism exists in an ecosystem in such a way that it impacts and influences in the ecosystem and has a significant effect incomparable to its number in the population,such organism is said to be a Keystone species. They are responsible for the structure and continue existence of the ecosystem. Thus their absence leads to change in the ecosystem structure.
They maintain ecosystem structure for example by suppressing the population of one species of organism. E.g if a keystone species is a predator, its continuous predation on the herbivores which graze over a particular land area maintains balance between the green plant population and nutrient cycles in the ecosystem. If the the Keystone does not exits overgrazing from the increasing population of the grazers will disrupt the energy and nutrient cycles in the ecosystem, with dramatic change in the ecosystem.
Thus, option "B" is correct.
To learn more about the ecosystem click here:
https://brainly.com/question/13979184
#SPJ1
Final answer:
The loss of a keystone species from an ecosystem typically causes populations of other species to fluctuate dramatically due to the central role that keystone species play in maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity.
Explanation:
The best description of the effect of the loss of a keystone species from an ecosystem is option B) The populations of other species in the ecosystem would fluctuate dramatically. Keystone species have a disproportionately large effect on their environments relative to their abundance. Their presence helps maintain the structure and diversity of their ecological communities.
When a keystone species is removed, it can lead to an extinction cascade, where the absence of this pivotal species causes a chain of negative effects on other species. An example of this occurs when apex predators, which are often keystone species, disappear, leading to overpopulation of herbivores, overgrazing, habitat degradation, and subsequent declines in species diversity. Thus, keystone species are vital for stabilizing ecosystems and supporting biodiversity.
