SSC MTS EXAM

Detailed explanation-1: -Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether. Keystone species have low functional redundancy. This means that if the species were to disappear from the ecosystem, no other species would be able to fill its ecological niche.

Detailed explanation-2: -There are three types of keystone species cited by many scientists: predators, ecosystem engineers, and mutualists. Predators help control the populations of prey species, which in turn affects the quantity of plants and animals further along the food web.

Detailed explanation-3: -A keystone species holds the ecosystem together. It controls the functioning of the ecosystem by keeping populations in check, or by creating multiple niches for other organisms through its activities. Without a keystone species, an ecosystem destabilizes and will collapse.