Consider the following statements about the Keystone species. 1. It i...
- Keystone species is a species whose addition to or loss from an ecosystem leads to major changes in abundance or occurrence of at least one other species.
- Certain species in an ecosystem is considered more important in determining the presence of many other species in that ecosystem.
- All top predators (Tiger, Lion, Crocodile, Elephant) are considered as keystone species because it regulates all other animals’ population indirectly. Hence top predators are given much consideration in conservation.
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Consider the following statements about the Keystone species. 1. It i...
Keystone species are important species in an ecosystem whose addition or loss can cause significant changes in the abundance or occurrence of at least one other species. Let us analyze each statement given in the question.
1. Statement 1 is correct. A keystone species plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem. For example, if a predator such as a lion is removed from an ecosystem, it can lead to an increase in the population of herbivores such as deer, which can then overgraze the vegetation. This can cause a decline in the population of other species such as birds, insects, and smaller mammals that depend on the vegetation for food and shelter. Thus, the presence or absence of a keystone species can have a cascading effect on the entire ecosystem.
2. Statement 2 is also correct. Certain species in an ecosystem are more important in determining the presence of many other species in that ecosystem. These species are often referred to as "foundation species" or "ecosystem engineers". For example, beavers are considered to be a foundation species because they create dams that create wetlands. Wetlands provide habitat for many species, such as fish, amphibians, and birds.
3. Statement 3 is incorrect. Predators can also be keystone species. Predators can regulate the population of their prey, which can in turn affect the population of other species in the ecosystem. For example, the sea otter is considered to be a keystone species in the kelp forest ecosystem because it feeds on sea urchins, which are herbivores that feed on kelp. By regulating the population of sea urchins, the sea otter indirectly helps to maintain the balance of the kelp forest ecosystem.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' (1 and 2 only).
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