To determine:
The reason that lemmings are not considered a keystone species.
Introduction:
The lemmings are the species that live on Bylot Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, which feed upon leaves and small plants along with the geese.
Explanation of Solution
The lemming has two species in the Bylot Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. In tundra communities, the main herbivores affect other herbivores and the predators. Both geese and lemmings are the main organisms that feed upon grasses and low level plants. The lemmings and geese become the predators of arctic foxes and owls. All these species from plants to owls are linked by the interaction and affects one another.
The lemmings can affect many species in the Arctic at low level as well as at high levels. The lemmings are not considered as keystone species because the effects of lemmings are a function of their great abundance. The effects of keystone species are only seen in communities which are disproportionate in their numbers.
The lemming species are affected by other interacted species like geese, plants, grasses snow owls and so on.
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Chapter 45 Solutions
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