Wolves prey on elk, bison, and occasionally livestock. Many years ago, the government took steps to reduce the wolf population. However, in the absence of wolves, the prey populations increased disproportionately, causing a decline in the population of plant species. This decline disrupted the ecosystem. Following a study of the wolves’ impact, ecologists regarded wolves as the _of the ecosystem, as their absence caused a __ effect on the ecosystem.

For the first blank here are the choices:

- keystone species

-prey species

- diverse species

These are the choices for the second blank:

- beneficial

-domino

-direct

If you could help me out asap, that would be great! Thank you so much! ^_^

keystone species for the first blank. This is because keystone species are what holds an ecosystem together.

direct impact because the removal of a keystone species is neither beneficial or a domino effect. if the entire ecosystem relies on that one species, then the niches of all the animals in that ecosystem will be directly affected.

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VTshruti VTshruti · Answer 2 · 2022-07-23T17:31:37+02:00

In the given scenario, the wolves’ impact, ecologists regarded wolves as the keystone species of the ecosystem, as their absence caused a direct effect on the ecosystem, the correct option for first blank is a, and for second blank is c.

What are keystone species?

A keystone species is a lifeform that contributes to the definition of an entire ecosystem which has direct effect on the ecosystem.

The ecosystem would be drastically different or non-existent without its keystone species.

Ecologists regarded wolves as the keystone species of the ecosystem in the given scenario, as their absence had a direct effect on the ecosystem.

Thus, the correct option for first blank is a, and for second blank is c.

For more details regarding keystone species, visit:

https://brainly.com/question/15171916

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