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Question

The plants are eaten by consumers at the first level, such as rat, grasshopper, frog, squirrel, whiptail, and deer. The consumers at the second level, such as ringtail, eagle, and pine marten eat the consumers at the first level. The consumers at the third level, such as wolf, mountain lion, and cat eat the consumers at the second level. Some of the consumers at the first level are also eaten by consumers at the third level.



Which one of the following animals is most likely to be a keystone species, based on the food web provided?

(1 point)
Responses

grasshopper
grasshopper

frog
frog

Mouse
Mouse

deer

Answer 1

In a food web, a keystone species is typically an organism that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. Keystone species often help to maintain the structure of an ecological community.

Given the options:

1. Grasshopper - While it is a primary consumer, it likely does not have a significant impact on the ecosystem beyond being a food source for its predators.

2. Frog - Frogs can control insect populations and are also a food source for higher-level consumers; they play an important role in the food web.

3. Mouse - Similar to frogs, mice are prey for various predators, but they might not exert as much influence on the ecosystem as some other potential keystone species.

4. Deer - Deer can have significant impacts on plant communities through herbivory, potentially influencing the composition and abundance of vegetation in an ecosystem. They can be considered a keystone species in certain environments, especially if their grazing controls plant growth and availability for other species.

Based on this reasoning, the deer is most likely to be considered a keystone species among the options provided, as it can significantly affect its environment through its herbivory and interactions with plant communities.