Question

Both were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 they began to hunt the abundant elk population so elk numbers decreased The elk carcasses provided food for other predators like foxes coyotes and bears so all of their populations increased elk used to overgraze On Willow plants Now that willows are growing back, beaver numbers are increasing , because they prefer the slow moving mater that willows cause.

Which of these species is a keystone species?
elk
wolves
willows
bears

Answer 1

In the context of ecosystem dynamics, the term "keystone species" refers to a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance. In this scenario, the wolves are considered the keystone species.

Wolves help control the elk population, which in turn allows for the recovery of willows and other vegetation. This regeneration of willows then supports other species, such as beavers. Therefore, while all the species mentioned play important roles in the ecosystem, wolves have the most significant indirect effects on the structure and biodiversity of the ecosystem through their predation on elk.