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Evolution

Question
CBSEENBI12047119

What is a key stone species ?

  • A rare species that has minimal impact on biomass and on other species in community

  • A dominant species that constitutes a large proportion of biomass, which affects many other species

  • A common species that has plenty of biomass, yet has a fairly low impact on the community's organization

  • A species which makes up only a small proportion of the total biomass of a community, yet has a huge impact on the community's organization and survival

Solution

D.

A species which makes up only a small proportion of the total biomass of a community, yet has a huge impact on the community's organization and survival

Key stone species is a apecies which makes up only a small proportion of the total biomass of a community, yet has a huge impact on the community's organization and survival.

Eg, Elephants damage trees by browsing the lower branches, stripping the bark and uprooting them. It prevents the forest from encroaching on the grasslands, where grazing beasts flourish.