Biodiversity and Keystone Species

Front

What is a keystone species?

Back

A species that helps to hold an ecosystem together

Front

The particular role (job) of an organism in its environment including types of food it eats, how it obtains its food and how it interacts with other organisms is called a what?

Back

niche

Front

biodiversity

Back

a wide variety of plants and animals in an ecosystem

Front

A sea otter and a sea star are examples of...

Back

keystone species

Front

A species that maintain biodiversity by keeping prey populations controlled are called...

Back

Keystone Species

Front

Effect of removing a keystone species from an ecosystem?

Back

biodiversity goes down

Front

Study the graph. Based on the data shown, rainbow smelt are a/an _____________.

Back

invasive species

Front

Based on the graph shown, how can you tell sea otters are a keystone species?

Back

As sea otter population increases, biodiversity increases.

Front

What happens to an ecosystem's structure when a keystone species is introduced?

Back

The ecosystem's structure becomes more stable and balanced.

Front

How do keystone species affect the population of their prey?

Back

They help control the population of their prey, preventing overpopulation.