EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Keystone species is a species, which has a significant and disproportionately large influence on the community structure and characteristics. It has often considerable low abundance and biomass as compared to dominant species.

Detailed explanation-2: -A keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. By keeping populations of mussels and barnacles in check, this sea star helps ensure healthy populations of seaweeds and the communities that feed on them-sea urchins, sea snails, limpets, and bivalves.

Detailed explanation-3: -Dominant species are the most abundant species in a community, exerting a strong influence over the occurrence and distribution of other species. In contrast, keystone species have effects on communities that far exceed their abundance.

Detailed explanation-4: -As a result, many species are able to coexist in the intertidal community. Are keystones species that affect communities by influencing the structure of a habitat.

Detailed explanation-5: -A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on community structure relative to its biomass or abundance.