In an ecosystem, a keystone species' importance is out of proportion to the number of species. What it means for a species to be a keystone species? In this research activity, you'll be learning about one of many keystone species. Create an account to start this course today. A keystone species is the species whose presence protects the ecosystem from overpopulation or extinction. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} You, all the other people that live there, the birds and bugs, and all of the plants interacting together would be like an ecosystem. Also living in the kelp forests are sea urchins and otters. Updates? If the otters are not there to eat the sea urchins, the sea urchin population goes up. You can test out of the Fortunately, the bison population has recovered quite a bit, so they can continue their role as a keystone species in some places. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Corrections? To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. Which of the following are likely consequences? Keystone Species in Their Environments . - Definition & Examples, AP Science Homework Help: Interaction Among Organisms in the Ecosystem, AP Environmental Science - Evolving Ecosystems: Homework Help, AP Environmental Science - Biological Science: Homework Help, AP Science Homework Help: Population & the Environment, AP Science - Food & Agricultural Resource: Homework Help, AP Environmental Science - Land Use: Homework Help, AP Environmental Science - Mining & Fishing: Homework Help, AP Environmental Science - Energy Concepts: Homework Help, AP Environmental Science - Renewable Resources: Homework Help, AP Environmental Science - Nonrenewable Resources: Homework Help, AP Science - Hazardous and Solid Waste: Homework Help, AP Science Homework Help: Human Impact on the Environment, Environmental Sustainability: Homework Help for AP Science, Environmental Risk Analysis: Homework Help for AP Science, AP Science Homework Help: Global Environmental Economics, Environmental Politics & Ethics in AP Science: Homework Help, Weather and Climate Science: Certificate Program, Principles of Health: Certificate Program, ILTS Science - Chemistry (106): Test Practice and Study Guide, TExES Health EC-12 (157): Practice & Study Guide, Allelic Variation: Definition & Explanation, Quiz & Worksheet - Intracellular Structures, Quiz & Worksheet - Function of Microvilli, Quiz & Worksheet - Function & Structure of Lysozyme, Equilibrium in Chemistry: Tutoring Solution, CPA Subtest III - Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR): Study Guide & Practice, ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner: Study Guide & Practice, AACN Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist - Adult Gerontology (ACCNS-AG): Study Guide & Practice, Selecting & Evaluating Academic Sources for Research Papers, Parts of Speech & Identifying Usage Errors in Sentences, Preparing & Delivering Oral Presentations, College Student's Guide for Minimizing & Managing School Stress During COVID-19, Top 50 K-12 School Districts for Teachers in Massachusetts, Education Trends During Coronavirus: Private, Community and Virtual Learning Pods, Pros and Cons for Schools Reopening Amid Coronavirus Concerns, High School Student's Guide for Minimizing & Managing School Stress During COVID-19, Praxis Tests & COVID-19: Online Testing, Scheduling & Implications, What is Social Conservatism?