4.6 - What roles do species play in ecosystems?

Question 1

Ecological Niche/Niche

Answer 1

the role that a species plays in its ecosystem

Question 2

Generalist Species

Answer 2

Animals that have broad niches. They can live in different places, eat a variety of food, and can tolerate different environmental conditions.

Question 3

Specialist Species

Answer 3

Animals that have narrow niches. May live in only one type of habitat, use one or a few types of food, or have a narrow range of tolerable environmental conditions.

Question 4

Native species

Answer 4

species that normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem.

Question 5

Indicator species

Answer 5

Species that provide early warnings of damage to a community or an ecosystem

Question 5

What are other names for nonnative species?

Answer 5

invasive, alien, exotic species

Question 6

Nonnative species

Answer 6

species that migrate into or are deliberately or accidentally introduced into an ecosystem

Question 7

Keystone species

Answer 7

Species that have a large effect on the types and abundances of other species in an ecosystem.

Question 8

foundation species

Answer 8

Species which play a major role in shaping communities by creating and enhancing their habitats in ways that benefit other species.