Keystone Species and Their Impact on Ecosystems

The video explores the concept of keystone species, which are crucial for maintaining the balance of ecosystems. It explains that removing a keystone species can lead to the collapse of an ecosystem. The video categorizes keystone species into predators, ecosystem engineers, and mutualists, providing examples such as sharks, beavers, bees, and gopher tortoises. Each example illustrates how these species maintain ecological balance. The video concludes with a summary and an invitation to visit Oxbow Meadows.

What is a keystone in general terms?

• A central principle or part of a system

• A type of animal

• A historical artifact

• A type of rock formation

What happens if a keystone species is removed from an ecosystem?

• The ecosystem may collapse

• The ecosystem remains unchanged

• The ecosystem becomes more diverse

• New species will immediately replace it

Which of the following can be a keystone species?

• Only plants

• Only animals

• Only fungi

• Animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria

What role do sharks play as a keystone species?

• They build habitats

• They pollinate plants

• They control fish populations

• They decompose organic matter

How do beavers act as ecosystem engineers?

• By pollinating flowers

• By hunting prey

• By creating burrows

• By building dams

What is the relationship between bees and flowers?

• Parasitic

• Competitive

• Mutualistic

• Predatory

What is a unique feature of the gopher tortoise's burrows?

• They house over 300 species

• They are made of wood

• They are temporary

• They are underwater

How do gopher tortoise burrows benefit other species?

• They serve as a nesting site

• They act as a water source

• They provide food

• They offer protection from extreme temperatures

Which ecosystem is associated with the gopher tortoise?

• Desert

• Rainforest

• Coral reef

• Longleaf pine forest

What is the primary benefit of keystone species in an ecosystem?

• They reduce biodiversity

• They increase the number of species

• They maintain ecological balance

• They provide food for all species