Answer :
Final answer:
Keystone species are critical because they have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem. If they go missing, it can lead to disruptions in the food web, population imbalances, and changes in habitat structure. An example of a keystone species is the sea otter, which plays a keystone role in kelp forest ecosystems by controlling the sea urchin population and allowing the kelp to thrive.
Explanation:
Keystone species are organisms that have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance. They play a crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of their ecosystems. The importance of keystone species lies in their ability to regulate the abundance and diversity of other species in their habitat.
When a keystone species goes missing or declines in population, it can have significant consequences for the ecosystem. This is because keystone species often have indirect effects on other species through complex ecological interactions. Their removal can lead to a cascade of effects throughout the food web, causing disruptions in population dynamics and altering the physical structure of the habitat.
An example of a keystone species is the sea otter. Sea otters are considered a keystone species in kelp forest ecosystems. They feed on sea urchins, which are herbivores that graze on kelp. By controlling the sea urchin population, sea otters prevent overgrazing of kelp forests, allowing the kelp to thrive and provide habitat for numerous other species.
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