Sharks What is a keystone species?

Directions: Go to http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/keystonespecies/?ar_a=1 and read the article provided. Use the information provided and your
knowledge of environmental science to answer the following questions. USE COMPLETE
SENTENCES FOR FULL CREDIT!!!!!!

1. What is a keystone species? (2 points)

2. True or False: Even a small number of a keystone species can have a large impact on the
environment.

3. A keystone species is often, but not always, a predator. A few predators can control the

__________________________ and ___________________________ of large numbers

of prey species.

4. Why would the populations of prey species such as deer or rabbits eventually decline
without the presence of a predator? (5 points)
5. Other than declining populations of prey organisms in an ecosystem, what else may
happen without the presence of a keystone species? Provide an example (4 points).

6. The theory that the balance of ecosystems can rely on one keystone species was first
established in 1969 by whom? (2 points)

7. Describe Paines research and what it showed (5 points).