What is a "keystone" species? What is a "foundation" species? What is a "secondary foundation" species? Compare and contrast these concepts. Give an example of a "keystone" species, a "foundation" species, and a "secondary foundation" species. Explain why extinction/extirpation of "keystone" species and/or "foundation" species is relevant to humanity.
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These species help to maintain the balance and diversity of the ecosystem. An example of a keystone species is the sea otter, which controls sea urchin populations, preventing them from overgrazing on kelp and maintaining the kelp forest ecosystem. A **foundation Show more…
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Describe the difference between keystone and foundation species. Keystone species have a critical role on biotic components despite low abundance or biomass. Foundation species have a large effect because they affect the physical environment. Some scientists classify prairie dogs as a keystone species and other scientists classify prairie dogs as foundation species. Which do you think it is, and why?
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