A chemical leaks into a pond that selectively kills off the phytoplankton (a producer).Many of the other organisms in the pond die over a short period of weeks,and the overall species diversity declines.The phytoplankton in this pond could be considered a good example of ________________.

Question

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A keystone species is one whose presence and role within an ecosystem have a disproportionate effect on other organisms within the system. The death of the phytoplankton leading to significant declines in species diversity and the death of many organisms indicates that they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, similar to that of a keystone species.

A Chemical Leaks into a Pond That Selectively Kills Off