An example of a keystone species is the sea otter. Sea otters help maintain the health of the kelp forest ecosystem by feeding on sea urchins, which are herbivores that eat kelp. Without sea otters, sea urchin populations would increase and could overgraze on kelp forests, leading to a decrease in kelp populations.
If sea otters were removed or left the ecosystem, there could be a cascade effect where the abundance of sea urchins increases, leading to the destruction of kelp forests. This loss of habitat would negatively impact other species that rely on kelp forests for food and shelter, such as fish, crabs, and sea birds. Ultimately, the entire ecosystem could become unbalanced and less diverse without the presence of sea otters to regulate sea urchin populations.
Give an example of a keystone species and what can happen if it is removed or leaves an ecosystem. And write like a 7 grader
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