What makes an organism a keystone species?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A keystone species has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem, meaning that its presence or absence can significantly impact the balance of the community. If a keystone species were to be lost, the ecosystem would be negatively impacted, leading to a potential decline or even collapse of the community. Option A is incorrect, as the loss of a keystone species may actually decrease the population of other species that depend on it. Options B and D are incorrect, as being important for pollination or the survival of angiosperms does not necessarily make an organism a keystone species. Option E is incorrect, as being the most abundant species in a community does not imply that an organism is a keystone species.

What Makes an Organism a Keystone Species