Question

types of species research project (presentation notes)
georgia standards of excellence
sev2. obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to construct explanations of stability and change in
earths ecosystems.
d. construct an argument to support a claim about the value of biodiversity in ecosystem resilience
including keystone, invasive, native, endemic, indicator, and endangered species.
learning objectives:

1. i can describe the roles of keystone, and endangered species in ecosystems
2. i can provide examples of keystone species and their effects on ecosystems.
3. i can explain how invasive species impact biodiversity.
4. i can identify the importance of native, endemic, and indicator species in an ecosystem.

Explanation:

• Keystone species:
• Definition: Species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance.
• Examples: Sea otters (in kelp forest ecosystems, they control sea urchin populations which would otherwise over - graze kelp).
• Role in the ecosystem: Maintain ecosystem structure and function. For example, by controlling prey populations (like sea otters and sea urchins), they help preserve habitat (kelp forests) which is home to many other species.
• Human Impact: Hunting of sea otters led to a decline in kelp forests as sea urchin populations exploded. Conservation efforts (protection from hunting) have helped restore these ecosystems.
• Native species:
• Definition: Species that naturally occur in a particular ecosystem without human introduction.
• Examples: American bison (native to the North American grasslands).
• Role in the ecosystem: They are part of the natural food web. Bison graze on grasses, which helps in seed dispersal and maintaining grassland plant diversity. Their wallowing behavior creates water holes that are used by other animals.
• Human Impact: Over - hunting reduced bison populations drastically. Habitat loss (due to agriculture and urbanization) also affected them. Conservation programs (reintroduction in some areas) have been implemented.
• Endemic species:
• Definition: Species that are native to and found only in a specific, usually restricted, geographic area.
• Examples: The Galapagos giant tortoise (endemic to the Galapagos Islands).
• Role in the ecosystem: They play unique roles. For example, their grazing helps shape the plant communities on the islands. Their shells can provide micro - habitats for small organisms.
• Human Impact: Introduced species (like goats which compete for food) and habitat destruction (due to human settlement and tourism - related activities) have threatened them. Conservation efforts (removal of invasive species, habitat restoration) are in place.

Answer:

	Definition	Examples	Role in the ecosystem	Human Impact
Native species	Species naturally occurring in an ecosystem without human introduction	American bison	Part of natural food web (grazing, seed dispersal, habitat creation)	Over - hunting and habitat loss; reintroduction efforts
Endemic species	Species native to and found only in a specific geographic area	Galapagos giant tortoise	Shape plant communities, provide micro - habitats	Invasive species and habitat destruction; conservation (invasive removal, habitat restoration)