COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS

Question 1

a species that impacts its community more than its mere abundance would predict, often
altering ecosystem structure.

Answer 1

Keystone Species

Question 2

OTHER TYPES OF KEYSTONE SPECIES

Answer 2

predators (wolf)
ecosystem engineer (beaver)
mutualists (honey bee)

Question 3

A species that has a strong role in structuring a community by creating and maintaining habitat

Answer 3

Foundation Species

Question 4

Typical traits:
* May provide a unique service
* Other species and the ecosystem depend
on keystone species to survive and reproduce
* If lost would create a “ripple effect” within
community leading to less healthy community as a
whole

Answer 4

Keystone Species

Question 5

Typical traits:
* Abundant in number and account for
significant biomass in a system
* Bountiful connections to numerous other
species

Answer 5

Foundation Species

Question 6

A species that was introduced to an area and is not native, and which typically does damage to the
environment

Answer 6

Invasive Species

Question 7

Typical traits:
* Fast growing
* Reproduce quickly
* Tolerate a wide range of environmental
conditions
* Survive on wide range of food sources
* Can thrive in areas occupied by humans

Answer 7

Invasive Species

Question 8

A species that is particularly vulnerable to ecosystem perturbations, and that, when we monitor
them, can give us advance warning of a problem

Answer 8

Indicator Species