Which is most likely a keystone species?
a
wolves in Yellowstone National Park, which eat elk, who graze on willows, on which beavers depend to build their dams
b
feral cats, which hunt a wide variety of animals, including birds, lizards, rodents, and insects
c
deer, which eat a variety of plants, including shrubs and young trees, and are consumed by large predators like mountain lions, wolves, and bears
d
cane toads in Australia, which were introduced to eat cane beetles, but eat anything and survive in various habitats
The most likely keystone species in this scenario is option A, wolves in Yellowstone National Park. The presence of wolves affects the population of elk, which in turn affects the vegetation, specifically willows. The presence of willows provides habitat for beavers, which are important ecosystem engineers that create dams and modify their environment. Therefore, the presence of wolves has a cascading effect on the entire ecosystem, making them a keystone species.
wolves is right
The most likely keystone species among the options provided is option a: wolves in Yellowstone National Park, which eat elk, who graze on willows, on which beavers depend to build their dams.
To determine which of these options is most likely a keystone species, we need to understand what a keystone species is. A keystone species is an organism that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance. Its presence or absence can significantly affect the structure, diversity, and overall functioning of the ecosystem.
Let's evaluate each option to see if it fits the characteristics of a keystone species:
a) Wolves in Yellowstone National Park: This option describes the intricate ecological relationship between wolves, elk, willows, and beavers. If the wolves were removed from the ecosystem, the elk population could grow unchecked, leading to excessive browsing on willows, which are an important food source for beavers. Consequently, the absence of wolves could potentially impact the entire ecosystem. Based on this information, option (a) appears to be a potential keystone species.
b) Feral cats: While feral cats are efficient hunters and can impact local wildlife populations, they do not typically have the same level of influence on an ecosystem as a keystone species. Therefore, option (b) is less likely to represent a keystone species.
c) Deer: Although deer are an important component of many ecosystems and can be a food source for large predators, their impact is not typically as significant as that of a keystone species. Therefore, option (c) is less likely to represent a keystone species.
d) Cane toads in Australia: Cane toads were introduced to Australia as a means of controlling a specific pest, but they have since become invasive and disrupted many native ecosystems. However, while they have a negative impact on certain species, they do not fulfill the criteria of a keystone species, which typically have positive, stabilizing effects on ecosystems. Therefore, option (d) is less likely to represent a keystone species.
From the given options, it seems that option (a), wolves in Yellowstone National Park, is most likely to be a keystone species based on the complex relationships described within their ecosystem.