Biodiversity and Keystone Species

Which one of the following keystone examples play a vital role in the health of coastal kelp forests?

• starfish

• sea otters

• beavers

• wolves

• elephants

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

• as the sea otter population decreases, biodiversity increases

• as sea otter population increases, biodiversity increases

• changes in the sea otter population have little effect on biodiversity 

• the sea otter population dereases due to the presence of urchins

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Why are some sharks considered a keystone species?

• Because they are a top predator

• They scare off smaller fish that may overgraze an area of sea grass

• They are tertiary consumers

• They are cartilaginous

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species critical to the functioning of an ecosystem

• biodiversity

• keystone species

• ecosystem diversity

• biotechnology

• biodiversity hotspots

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number and variety of species within a given area

• biodiversity

• keystone species

• ecosystem diversity

• biotechnology

• biodiversity hotspots

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different genes contained within a population

• ecotourism

• captive breeding

• poaching

• genetic biodiversity

• endemic species

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Preserving entire ecosystems rather than individual species is a good conservation strategy because

• only endangered species will be saved.

• developers will have greater access to land.

• more than one species can be saved

• it will not be necessary for environmentalists to study the ecosystem

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Which of the following best describes a keystone species?

• A species that is the most abundant in an ecosystem

• A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment

• A species that is the largest predator in an ecosystem

• A species that is the most colorful in an ecosystem

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How does the presence of a keystone species affect biodiversity in an ecosystem?

• It decreases biodiversity by outcompeting other species

• It increases biodiversity by maintaining the structure of the ecosystem

• It has no effect on biodiversity

• It decreases biodiversity by preying on all other species

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Which of the following is an example of a keystone species in a marine ecosystem?

• Sea otters

• Jellyfish

• Clownfish

• Sea turtles

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