Question

select the correct answer from each drop - down menu. a wolf is shown in the image below. what is the role of wolves in their ecosystem? wolves prey on elk, bison, and occasionally livestock. many years ago, the government took steps to reduce the wolf population. however, in the absence of wolves, populations of their prey increased disproportionately, causing a decline in the population of plant species. this decline disrupted the ecosystem. following a study of the wolves impact, ecologists regarded wolves as the keystone species, prey species, diverse species effect on the ecosystem.

Explanation:

Keystone species are those whose presence and role in an ecosystem are crucial. When wolves were removed, their prey populations increased disproportionately, causing a decline in plant species which disrupted the ecosystem. This shows that wolves play a vital - role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, which is characteristic of a keystone species.

Answer:

keystone species