Answer :

Final answer:

Dominant species heavily influence ecosystems due to their abundance, while keystone species have disproportionate ecological impacts despite their lesser abundance. Invasive species, when introduced, can disrupt the balance maintained by both dominant and keystone species, leading to ecological shifts and decreased biodiversity.

Explanation:

Dominant species are those that are the most abundant or have the most biomass in an ecological community. Their prevalence has a significant impact on other species and on various ecological processes. Keystone species, on the other hand, may not be abundant, but their ecological roles are critical in maintaining the structure of an ecosystem and biodiversity.

An example of a keystone species is the intertidal sea star, Pisaster ochraceous, which, when removed, causes the mussel population to explode, altering the species composition of the community.

Invasive species disrupt these relationships within ecosystems. They are species that are introduced to new environments, where they often lack natural predators or controls. This can lead to exponential population growth and the potential to become dominant in a non-native habitat, negatively impacting existing species, including keystone species, and altering the ecological balance.

The connection between dominant species, keystone species, and invasive species is seen through their effects on community ecology. A change in the population of any of these can have cascading effects on the ecosystem. For instance, an invasive species may outcompete native dominant species or disrupt the balance maintained by a keystone species, leading to a shift in community structure and a decrease in biodiversity.

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