Question
What is a keystone species? Give an example.
Answers
GPT 3.5
A keystone species is a species that plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of an ecosystem. Without the presence of a keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or may even collapse.
One example of a keystone species is the sea otter. Sea otters play a vital role in the kelp forest ecosystem by controlling the population of sea urchins, which are herbivores that feed on kelp. Without sea otters to prey on sea urchins, the sea urchin population can explode and overgraze the kelp forests, leading to a loss of habitat for many other species that depend on the kelp for food and shelter. Therefore, sea otters are considered a keystone species in the kelp forest ecosystem.
One example of a keystone species is the sea otter. Sea otters play a vital role in the kelp forest ecosystem by controlling the population of sea urchins, which are herbivores that feed on kelp. Without sea otters to prey on sea urchins, the sea urchin population can explode and overgraze the kelp forests, leading to a loss of habitat for many other species that depend on the kelp for food and shelter. Therefore, sea otters are considered a keystone species in the kelp forest ecosystem.