A keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem Without its keystone species...........

Environment and Ecology Concept of Ecology

A keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether. Consider the following statements with refrence to 'Key stone' species:

1. It maintains the organization and structure of only specific communities.

2. The loss of keystone species can cause the extinction of other species.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 Nor 2

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Explanation:

A keystone species is a species that is connected to a disproportionately large number of other species in the food-web.
Keystone species have lower levels of biomass in the trophic pyramid relative to the importance of their role.
The many connections that a keystone species holds means that it maintains the organization and structure of entire communities.
The loss of a keystone species results in a range of dramatic cascading effects that alters trophic dynamics, other food web connections, and can cause the extinction of other species.