Which is most likely a keystone species?(1 point)

Question

Responses

wolves in Yellowstone National Park, which eat elk, who graze on willows, on which beavers depend to build their dams

feral cats, which hunt a wide variety of animals, including birds, lizards, rodents, and insects

deer, which eat a variety of plants, including shrubs and young trees, and are consumed by large predators like mountain lions, wolves, and bears

cane toads in Australia, which were introduced to eat cane beetles, but eat anything and survive in various habitats

Answer 1

The most likely keystone species among the options provided is wolves in Yellowstone National Park, which eat elk, who graze on willows, on which beavers depend to build their dams.

Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance. Wolves in this scenario play a critical role in controlling the elk population, which in turn affects the vegetation, specifically willows. This cascading effect demonstrates how wolves help maintain the ecological balance within their ecosystem, making them a classic example of a keystone species.