In Yellowstone National Park, wolves were hunted to extinction in the 1920s. A current restoration project has reintroduced wolves to Yellowstone National Park. Predict the response of the Yellowstone ecological community if wolves are a keystone species.
A)Species richness should decrease.
B)The relative abundances of each species should become more unequal.
C)Species diversity should decrease.
D)Species richness should increase, and the relative abundances of each species should be about equal.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As a keystone species, wolves play a critical role in maintaining the structure of the ecological community. Their reintroduction is likely to increase species richness and balance the relative abundances of species by controlling prey populations and allowing vegetation and other species to thrive.

In Yellowstone National Park, Wolves Were Hunted to Extinction in the 1920s