Question

5. Discuess the following in reference to foundation species: Do competitive dominants enhance or diminish local diversity?

Answer 1

In Ecology, the term foundation species is used to refer, species that have a great role in shaping a community. They have a role in providing sustainable eccosystem services. Their abundance also matters. ( while species that have a role in structuring a community by its mere presence and not by its abundance are referred to as keystone species).

Examples for foundation species include predators, primary producers etc..They can be present in any trophic level.

Competitive dominance refers to the ability of a species to dominate its predator. So, in this case, while considering foundation species, when they are competitively dominant, they can positively influence an eccosystem or a community. It can create an environment where many other organisms find advantageous. so, it can be concluded that competitive dominance can lead to an increase in local diversity.