High School

Which statement is true with regard to keystone species?

A. Keystone species can control the distribution of other species in an ecosystem.
B. A species must be present in large numbers in order to be a keystone species.
C. Animals can be keystone species but plants cannot.
D. Keystone species tend to negatively impact ecosystems.
E. Top predators can be keystone species but other animals cannot.

Answer :

Answer:

Keystone species can control the distribution of other species in an ecosystem.

Explanation:

Keystone species are very important in the environment so if they disappear other organisms in the chain start to fail.

Final answer:

The true statement about keystone species is: Keystone species can control the distribution of other species in an ecosystem.

Explanation:

Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystems relative to their abundance. They play a critical role in maintaining the structure and biodiversity of their ecological communities. For example, the Pisaster ochraceus, an intertidal sea star in the northwestern United States, is a keystone species because its predation on mussels keeps their population in check, thus maintaining biodiversity.

Similarly, the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park has shown that they help to control elk and coyote populations, promoting increased diversity in various habitats. Therefore, the true statement about keystone species is: Keystone species can control the distribution of other species in an ecosystem. It's not about the numbers of the keystone species, but their ecological role that makes them key players in their environments.

Other Questions