Answer :

Final answer:

A keystone species significantly influences its environment and other species, while riparian refers to the area between land and water bodies, crucial for ecological health. Examples include sea otters as keystone species and vegetation in riparian zones. Both concepts are vital in understanding ecosystem dynamics.


Explanation:

Definitions of Keystone Species and Riparian

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance. This means that the presence or absence of a keystone species can greatly affect the types and numbers of other species in an ecosystem. A classic example is the sea otter: by preying on sea urchins, sea otters help maintain kelp forest ecosystems. Without their predation, sea urchin populations can explode, leading to the destruction of kelp forests and a loss of habitat for many other marine species.

Riparian refers to the interface between land and a river or stream. Riparian zones are critical areas that support diverse ecosystems and provide important services such as filtering pollutants from runoff and stabilizing banks to prevent erosion. These zones can include vegetation, which thrives in the moist conditions near water, and are essential for wildlife habitat, flood control, and water quality improvement.


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