Keystone Species

These species contribute to the physical world around where they live. They modify, create and maintain habitats.

• Flagship Species

• Predators

• Keystone Species

• Ecosystem Engineers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A species form that supports an entire ecosystem.

• Keystone Species

• Herbivores

• Umbrella Species

• Predators

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is a keystone species?

• A species that helps to hold an ecosystem together

• A species that lives in or around rocks

• Keys and stones have nothing to do with ecology

• A keystone isn't a living thing, it's just a stone

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Why are bees considered a keystone species?

• The honey they make supports the bear population

• They pollinate flowers that produce fruit which supports the ecosystem

• They sting when threatened

• They live in hives

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Why are some sharks considered a keystone species?

• Because they are a top predator

• They scare off smaller fish that may overgraze an area of sea grass

• They are tertiary consumers

• They are cartilaginous

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

If 50 crabs were captured and marked and then released and then a few days later 25 were caught and of those 5 were marked. What would the estimate of the population be?

• 500

• 250

• 75

• 200

Conservationists want to find the population of a species of mountain goat. On one day they capture 12 goats, tag them and release. A week later they capture 8 goats, 5 of which are tagged. What would the estimate of the population be?

• 19

• 40

• 72

• 30

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1