The plants are eaten by consumers at the first level, such as a mouse, grasshopper, whiptail, frog, squirrel, 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 bobcat eat the consumers at the second level. Some of the consumers at the first level are also eaten by consumers at the third level.
Of the predators in the image, which one is most likely a keystone species?
(1 point)
Responses
ringtail
ringtail
frog
frog
pine marten
pine marten
mountain lion
1 answer
The predator most likely to be considered a keystone species among the options provided is the mountain lion.
Keystone species are those that have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance. They help maintain the structure of an ecosystem and influence the types and numbers of various species within it. Mountain lions, as top-level predators, can help regulate prey populations, which in turn affects the entire ecosystem beneath them.
