Keystone species deserve protection because thesea)are capable of surv...
Keystone species are those which have significant and disproportionately large influence on the community structure and characteristics. It has often considerably low abundance and biomass as compared to dominant species. Removal of such species causes serious disruption in structure and function of community.
View all questions of this test
Keystone species deserve protection because thesea)are capable of surv...
Importance of Keystone Species
Keystone species are those species whose presence or absence has a significant impact on the ecosystem. They are the species that play a critical role in maintaining the structure, stability, and function of the ecosystem. These species are important because they regulate the population of other species in the ecosystem and help to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
Role in Supporting Other Species
Keystone species play an important role in supporting other species in the ecosystem. They are the species that have a disproportionately large effect on the ecosystem relative to their abundance. These species are often predators, but they can also be herbivores or even plants. For example, the sea otter is a keystone species in the kelp forest ecosystem. Sea otters feed on sea urchins, which are herbivores that graze on kelp. Without sea otters, sea urchins would overgraze the kelp, leading to the loss of the kelp forest ecosystem.
Similarly, the African elephant is a keystone species in the savanna ecosystem. Elephants feed on trees and shrubs, which helps to prevent these plants from becoming too dominant. This allows grasses to thrive, providing food for other herbivores in the ecosystem.
Importance of Protection
Keystone species are often threatened by human activities such as habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change. The loss of keystone species can have a cascading effect on the ecosystem, leading to the loss of other species and the collapse of the ecosystem. Therefore, it is important to protect keystone species to maintain the structure, stability, and function of the ecosystem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, keystone species play a critical role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem by regulating the population of other species. These species are important to protect because their loss can have a cascading effect on the ecosystem, leading to the loss of other species and the collapse of the ecosystem.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed NEET study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in NEET.