Question

record wildyl@fcrsd.org as the email to be included with my response
what is a keystone species?
a species that is always the most common in its ecosystem
a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem
a species that only eats plants
a species that can live in any environment
why are keystone species important in ecosystems?
they prevent biodiversity
they help recycle rocks into soil
they maintain balance and stability in the ecosystem
they are always top predators

Explanation:

A keystone species is one that has a large - scale impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance. Their removal can cause significant changes in the ecosystem structure and function. They help maintain balance and stability by controlling populations of other species, influencing food - web dynamics, etc.

Answer:

What is a keystone species?
B. A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem
Why are keystone species important in ecosystems?
C. They maintain balance and stability in the ecosystem