Elephants are not the most common species in African grasslands. The grasslands contain scattered woody plants, but they are kept in check by the uprooting activities of the elephants. Take away the elephants, and the grasslands convert to forests or to shrublands. The newly growing forests support fewer species than the previous grasslands. Which of the following describes why elephants are the keystone species in this scenario?
A)Essentially all of the other species depend on the presence of the elephants to maintain the community.
B)Grazing animals depend upon the elephants to convert forests to grassland.
C)Elephants prevent drought in African grasslands.
D)Elephants are the biggest herbivore in this community.
E)Elephants help other populations survive by keeping out many of the large African predators.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Keystone species are those whose presence is critical to maintain the structure and stability of an ecosystem. In this scenario, elephants are the keystone species because their uprooting activities help maintain the grasslands, which provides habitat for a variety of species. In the absence of elephants, the grasslands would convert to forests or shrublands, which would support fewer species. Therefore, essentially all other species in the grassland ecosystem depend on the presence of elephants to maintain the community, making them the keystone species.

Elephants Are Not the Most Common Species in African Grasslands