Ecological Roles

Ecologists describe the role that a species plays in an ecosystem as its

• adaptation

• niche

• habitat

• species function

Which statement is true with regard to keystone species?

• A species must be present in large numbers in order to be a keystone species.

• Top predators can be keystone species but other animals cannot.

• Keystone species can control the distribution of other species in an ecosystem.

• Animals can be keystone species but plants cannot.

• Keystone species tend to negatively impact ecosystems.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

The role a species plays in its ecosystem, including its preferred climate and food source, is its ____.

• habitat

• niche

• biome

• biodiversity

• trait

A species of sea star helps to maintain the diversity of the intertidal region by controlling the mussel population. Without the sea star, the mussel population would crowd out other species and take over their ecosystem.

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The sea star could be called a(n) ____ species.

• endemic

• invasive

• indicator

• keystone

• specialist

Any species that has a major role in maintaining their ecosystem is known as a

• keystone species

• dominant species

• dependent species

• producer

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Species whose roles have a large effect on the types and abundance of other species in an ecosystem are called _______ species

• endemic

• indicator

• keystone

• specialist

• native

The _______ has a broad niche, can

live in many different places, eat a variety of foods, and often tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions.

• specialist

• generalist

• endemic species

• indicator species

the ________ species occupies a narrow niche, may be able to live in only one type of habitat, eat only one or a few types of food, or tolerate a narrow range of environmental conditions.

• specialist

• generalist

• endemic

• keystone

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

________ species is an organism that plays

a uniquely important role in the way an ecosystem functions.

• native

• keystone

• invasive

• indicator

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Under rapidly changing environmental conditions,____ species usually have an advantage.

• indicator

• generalist

• specialist

• keystone

• endemic