Ecosystem Balance and Keystone Species

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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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 influences the survival of other species survival is known as a keystone species. Which species is a keystone species that we studied.

• Otter

• Fox

• Hound

• Sea Turtle

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A group of organisms that have a big effect on the balance of an ecosystem.

• Balanced Ecosystem

• Competition

• Keystone Species

• Unbalanced Ecosystem

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The study of how living and nonliving things are connected to each other in their natural environment.

• Biome

• Climate

• Ecology

• Ecologist

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A community of organisms that interact with each other and their environment.

• Carnivore

• Herbivore

• Food Web

• Ecosystem

• Natural Environment

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An ecosystem in which many organisms can meet their needs.

• Balanced Ecosystem

• Competition

• Keystone Species

• Unbalanced Ecosystem

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Some species play particularly important role in their environments. Species that influence the survival of many other species in an ecosystem are known as

• keystone players

• threatened species

• endangered species

• keystone species

What role do keystone species play in maintaining ecosystem balance?

• They are the most abundant species in the ecosystem.

• They control the population of other species, preventing overpopulation.

• They are the primary producers in the ecosystem.

• They have no natural predators.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

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