Keystone Species and Trophic Cascades

Front

What is a keystone species?

Back

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. Its presence or absence can significantly impact the structure and health of an ecosystem.

Front

What is a trophic cascade?

Back

A trophic cascade is an ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators, leading to changes in the population sizes of species at different trophic levels, which in turn affects the entire ecosystem.

Front

What role do predators play in an ecosystem?

Back

Predators help manage prey populations, which in turn controls the populations of producers (vegetation) in the ecosystem, maintaining balance.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is each step or level in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients from one level to the next.

Front

How can the removal of a keystone species affect an ecosystem?

Back

The removal of a keystone species can lead to a trophic cascade, resulting in ecological imbalance, such as overpopulation of prey species and depletion of vegetation.

Front

What is an example of a keystone species?

Back

Sea otters are an example of a keystone species; they control sea urchin populations, which helps maintain the health of kelp forests.

Front

What happens when a top predator is removed from an ecosystem?

Back

When a top predator is removed, prey populations can increase unchecked, leading to overgrazing or overconsumption of vegetation, which can degrade the ecosystem.

Front

What is the relationship between wolves and deer in Yellowstone National Park?

Back

Wolves are a keystone predator in Yellowstone; their reintroduction led to a decrease in deer populations, which allowed vegetation to recover and increased biodiversity.

Front

What is the significance of biodiversity in an ecosystem?

Back

Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience, stability, and productivity, allowing ecosystems to better withstand environmental changes.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy and nutrients flow through different trophic levels.