Question

Assertion : Removal of keystone species doesn't cause any serious disruption in the functioning of the community.
Reason : keystone species are low in abundance (or biomass) than the dominant species.

• A. Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion
• B. Both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion
• C. Assertion is true but the reason is false
• D. Both the assertion and reason are false
• E. Assertion is false but reason is true

Answer 1

The correct option is E Assertion is false but reason is true

Only one or few species in a community are in sufficient abundance (having high density) to dominate and influence other species in terms of numbers and biomass production. Such species are called dominant species. But there are other species which have a much greater influence on community characteristics, relative to their low abundance or biomass. Such species are called keystone species. These species play a vital role in controlling the relative abundance of other species. Removal of keystone species causes serious disruption in the functioning of the community. So, the correct answer is 'If the assertion is false but reason is true'.