Question

3 ways keystone species can affect community structure in several ways

Answer 1

Keystone species can affect community structure by regulating prey populations, creating and modifying habitats, and providing resources.

Step-by-step explanation:

Keystone species are species that play an especially important role in their community, and changes in their numbers can have significant effects on the populations of many other species in the community. There are several ways keystone species can affect community structure:

1. Regulating prey populations: Keystone species may prey on other species in the community, keeping their populations in check. In the absence of keystone species, prey populations may increase unchecked and negatively impact other species in the community.
2. Creating and modifying habitats: Keystone species can create or modify habitats that benefit other species. For example, beavers create dams that create wetland habitats for a variety of species.
3. Providing resources: Keystone species may provide important resources that support other species in the community. For example, banded tetra fish in tropical streams supply phosphorus, a necessary nutrient, to the rest of the community.