Question

The species of plant a vital role in controlling the relative abundance of other species in a community are called as
(A) Edge species
(B) Link species
(C) Keystone species
(D) Pioneer species
(E) Successional species

Answer 1

Hint: The disappearance of the species may directly impact other species which depend on it for survival. The ecosystem cannot sustain an unlimited amount of animals and the deer will shortly compete for food and water resources with each other.

Complete answer: In ecology, a community is an association of populations of two or more species that simultaneously take up the same geographical area, also known as biocoenosis. It refers in its simplest form to groups of organisms in a given place or time.

Now lets us find the solution from the given options-
1. The species Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) are animal species with a high EDGE score, a metric that combines endangered conservation status with taxon distinctiveness. So, edge species is an incorrect answer.
2. The primary inference is that such phenomena exist in nature, are common both to ecological processes and population function, and should be observable from the characteristics of the environment and the organisms. So, link species is an incorrect answer.
3. A keystone species is a plant or animal which performs a unique and crucial role in the functioning of an ecosystem. The ecosystem would be drastically changed without keystone species, or would cease to exist entirely. Both species are dependent on one another in an ecosystem, or environment. Disappearance of a keystone species will trigger a domino effect. Many habitat animals will then decline and become extinct. So, keystone species is the correct answer.
4. The pioneer species are hardy organisms that are the first to colonise barren habitats or formerly biodiverse steady-state ecosystems which have been destroyed, for example by fire. So pioneer species is an incorrect answer.
5. A tree species that replaces a more shade-intolerant founder in a wood, or other successive tree species. In the shaded understory the seedlings of a successional species that develop and mature into the dominant species. So, successional species is an incorrect answer.

Thus, the option C is the correct option. i.e. Keystone species

Note: Population ecology often takes into consideration abiotic factors such as annual temperature or soil pH. Such non-living factors may affect the way organisms communicate with each other. Abiotic factors regulate the organisms present in the environment and thus the ecosystem structure.