Predators may increase the biodiversity of communities by preventing a single species from becoming dominant. Such predators are known as keystone species and may have a profound influence on the balance of organisms in a particular ecosystem. Introduction or removal of this predator, or changes in its population density, can have drastic cascading effects on the equilibrium of many other populations in the ecosystem. For example, grazers of a grassland may prevent a single dominant species from taking over. COUNT 6
QSN1 What is the title of a predator that maintains balance with an ecosystem? ANS1 keystone species QSN2 What is the driving force for maintaining an equilibrium within an ecosystem? ANS2 biodiversity QSN3 When a keystone species is lost another species might become? ANS3 dominant QSN4 What is increased by keeping a single species from being dominant in an ecosystem? ANS4 biodiversity of communities QSN5 Predators that prevent others from becoming dominant are called what? ANS5 keystone species QSN6 What changes to a keystone predator can seriously affect an ecosystem's equilibrium? ANS6 Introduction or removal of this predator, or changes in its population density