MG Trophic Cascades

A keystone species that keeps populations under control by hunting. This also impacts other species further down the food chain.

• keystone predator

• keystone prey

• keystone ecosystem engineer

• keystone plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

The role or job of an organism in an ecosystem.

• Predator

• Prey

• Predation

• Niche

Sea otters are key to protecting coastal kelp forests but consuming sea urchins. Sea otters are which type of keystone species?

• predator

• prey

• plant

• ecosystem engineer

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Starfish on shorelines will control mussels from overcrowding algae, limpets, anemones, and sponges by eating them. This helps maintain the biodiversity of the shore.

• predator

• prey

• plant

• ecosystem engineer

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Keystone species are a ​ (a)   because they help to control ​ (b)   .

• limiting factor
• populations
• niche
• trophic level

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which of the following show indirect effects of one organism to the next?

• Bass to phytoplankton.

• Bass to minnows.

• Minnows to zooplankton.

• Zooplankton to phytoplankton.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Why do the otters have a positive affect of the kelp?

• The otters eat the kelp

• The eat the sea urchins that eat the kelp - less sea anemones means more kelp

• The otters eat the sea urchins and when their population increases the kelp population increases

• The otters help the kelp get nutrients

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Why do the sea urchins have a negative impact on the Kelp population?

• The sea urchins eat the predators of the kelp

• The sea urchins eat the otters

• The sea urchins protect the kelp

• The sea urchins eat the kelp

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Why does the otter have a negative impact on the sea urchins population?

• The otters eat sea urchins

• The otters protect the sea urchins

• The otters eat the food of the sea urchins

• The otters protect the food of the sea urchins

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

How do the predators have a positive impact on the vegetation?

• Since the predators eat the herbivores they eat the producers

• Since the predators eat the herbivores and keep that population in check so they do not over eat the vegetation

• The predators do not eat the vegetation so it is a positive impact

• The predators eat the vegetation keeping it in control

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4