What is a keystone species? Give an example.

Question

3 senteces

Answer 1

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance. Removing a keystone species can have cascading effects and cause significant changes in the ecosystem. An example of a keystone species is the sea otter, whose presence helps to maintain the health and diversity of kelp forests by controlling populations of sea urchins, which feed on the kelp.