Question

20.4. illustrate how the removal of a keystone species disrupts an ecological community. complete the following passage regarding keystone species. a is a representation of all the feeding interactions in a community. a keystone species is one that has a disproportionately large effect on a community relative to that species. an intertidal sea star that preys on the most abundant mussel on the shore is an example of a keystone species. when the sea star is removed, the mussels abundance, and the abundance of many other shore species. richness increases abundance decreases food chain food web

Explanation:

• A food web represents all feeding interactions in a community.
• Keystone species have a large effect relative to their abundance.
• Removing the sea star (a keystone species) leads to an increase in mussel abundance (as their predator is gone) and a decrease in other shore species (due to mussel over - competition for resources like space).

Answer:

food web, abundance, increases, decreases