Practice Questions

TLS Online TPP Program

#Question id: 12330

Elephants are not the most common species in African grasslands. The grasslands contain scattered woody plants, but they are kept in check by the uprooting activities of the elephants. Take away the elephants, and the grasslands convert to forests or to shrublands. The newly growing forests support fewer species than the previous grasslands. Which of the following describes why elephants are the keystone species in this scenario?

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles

Essentially all of the other species depend on the presence of the elephants to maintain the community
Grazing animals depend upon the elephants to convert forests to grassland.
Elephants prevent drought in African grasslands.
Elephants are the biggest herbivore in this community.