Ecosystem Balance and Keystone Species

What is a keystone species?

• A species that lives in a national park

• A species that has a large role in keeping the ecosystem balanced

• A species that is close to extinction

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Otters prey on sea urchins. Sea urchins eat kelp. Kelp is home to many animals. What would happen if there were no more otters?

• The sea urchin population would die out

• The kelp population would become larger

• The homes of many animals would be destroyed by sea urchins

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Would removing wolves from Yellowstone National Park affect the balance of the ecosystem?

• No, they are a threat to wild animals and livestock

• Yes, the population of animals they prey on would increase causing too much competition for food

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What would happen to the ecosystem if the population of deer in an area became much larger?

• More plants would grow in the area

• Other herbivores may starve and die out

• The population of deer predators would decrease

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What is a keystone species?

• A species that helps to hold an ecosystem together

• A species that lives in or around rocks

• Keys and stones have nothing to do with ecology

• A keystone isn't a living thing, it's just a stone

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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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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

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A keystone species that is a critical food source and or shelter for other species. For example, a saguaro cactus.

• keystone predator

• keystone prey

• keystone ecosystem engineer

• keystone plant

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Prairie dogs are an important food source for 130+ species. Their digging and burrowing create healthy soil for grasslands and their burrows become shelter for many other animals. Which two types of keystone species are they?

• predator

• prey

• plant

• ecosystem engineer

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Which is one example of the role of humans as a keystone species?

• Humans can adapt to their environment

• Humans turn habitats of some species into farrmland

• Humans have dogs and cats as pets

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