Keystone Ecology

A species that has a greater impact on the ecosystem than its number would indicate

• keystone species

• core species

• impact species

• essential species

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This photo is showing the same ecosystem in 2 scenarios: one with the sea otter and one without the sea otter. In the ecosystem without the sea otter, the ecosystem dynamics are completely changed. What term best describes the sea otter?

• Niche

• Climax community

• Pioneer species

• Keystone species

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The study of how living things interact with one another and with their environment.

• Biology

• Lithology

• Ecology

• Farmacology

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What is this picture describing?

• It is describing direct competition between flamingos and ducks.

• It is describing natural selection as it follows the disruptive selection pattern.

• It is describing the niche of each bird within the tree.

• It is describing abiotic factors of the tundra.

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What effect will an invasive species have on the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

• The carrying capacity will increase

• The carrying capacity for everyone will decrease

• The carrying capacity will only decrease for those in competition for same resource

• The carrying capacity for all animals will stay the same

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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

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What point on the graph represents the carrying capacity?

• A

• B

• C

• D

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When taken to a new habitat, non-native plants often threaten native plants of the new habitat.  Why do they do this?

• Non-native plants are able to mutate rapidly

• Non-native  plants cause native animals to relocate

• Non-native plants are able to be used for medicine

• Non-native plants compete with native plants for resources

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Which of the following would be the most likely effect, if there were a sudden increase in the cricket population?

• There would be a decrease in the small bird population.

• There would be a decrease in the grass/flowers population.

• There would be a decrease in the mice population.

• There would be an increase in the grass/flowers population.

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A keystone species is...

• the top carnivore.

• has the largest population.

• has the most specialized niche.

• determines numbers and types of other species.

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