Keystone Species

What is a keystone species?

• A species that is most abundant in an ecosystem.

• A species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community.

• A species that has no predators in its ecosystem.

• A species that can live in a variety of ecosystems.

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Why are keystone species important for biodiversity?

• They are the most numerous species in their ecosystems.

• They provide food for all other species.

• They help to maintain the structure and integrity of the ecosystem.

• They have no predators, ensuring their survival.

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Which of the following is an example of a keystone species?

• Cattle

• Sea otter

• Grass

• Mosquito

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How can the removal of a keystone species affect an ecosystem?

• It can increase biodiversity.

• It can lead to a more stable ecosystem.

• It can cause a trophic cascade and disrupt the ecosystem balance.

• It has no significant effect.

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What could be a direct consequence of removing a top predator from an ecosystem?

• A decrease in the population of primary consumers.

• An increase in the diversity of plant species.

• A decrease in the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem.

• An increase in the population of herbivores, leading to overgrazing.

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What is a trophic cascade?

• A process where nutrients flow from one trophic level to another.

• A series of secondary extinctions triggered by the primary extinction of a key species in an ecosystem.

• The migration of species from one habitat to another.

• The increase in population size of a species at the bottom of the food chain.

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A species that plays a critical role in the health, maintenance, growth, or definition of an ecosystem.

• keystone

• invasive

• engineer

• predator

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A keystone species fills a unique ecological niche and therefore carries unique functions in an ecosystem

• True

• False

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What can happen to an ecosystem without keystone species?

• The ecosystem would remain the same

• The ecosystem would become more diverse

• The ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist

• The ecosystem would have more predators

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What effect does the disappearance of a keystone species have on the ecosystem?

• It causes a domino effect

• It has no effect

• It increases the population of predators

• It decreases the population of plants

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