1 Answers
Keystone Species in Ecosystems: Understanding Their Crucial Role
Keystone species are organisms within an ecosystem that have a disproportionately large impact on the environment relative to their abundance. They play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and the overall functioning of the ecosystem.
Key Functions of Keystone Species:
- Population Control: Keystone species help regulate the population sizes of other species in the ecosystem, preventing the dominance of any one species.
- Resource Management: They can influence the distribution and availability of resources by their activities, such as altering habitat structure or nutrient cycling.
- Ecosystem Stability: Keystone species contribute to the stability and resilience of the ecosystem, making it more resistant to disturbances and environmental changes.
Overall, keystone species are like the linchpins that hold ecosystems together, and their presence or absence can have profound effects on the entire system.
Please login or Register to submit your answer