Question

What is a keystone species?

• A. A common species that has plenty of biomass, yet has a fairly low impact on the community's organization
• B. A rare species that has minimal impact on the biomass and on other species in the community
• C. A dominant species that constitutes a large proportion of the biomass and which affects many other species
• D. A species which makes up only a small proportion of the total biomass of a community, yet has a huge impact on the community's organization and survival

Answer 1

The correct option is C A dominant species that constitutes a large proportion of the biomass and which affects many other species

A keystone species is a species which has a disproportionately large effect on its natural environment relative to its abundance. Such species are described as playing a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem and helping to determine the types and numbers of various other species in the community. Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether. Some keystone species, such as the wolf, are also apex predators.

So, the correct answer 'c'.