Correct option is D
The correct answer is option (D) Elephant
- The elephant is considered a keystone species in the savanna ecosystem.
- Keystone species are those whose impact on the ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to their abundance or biomass.
- Elephants play a crucial role in shaping the savanna ecosystem due to their behaviors and feeding habits.
Information Booster :-
- Vegetation Control: Elephants are herbivores that feed on a wide variety of plants, including grasses, shrubs, and trees. By uprooting trees and consuming large quantities of vegetation, elephants help maintain the balance between grasslands and wooded areas in the savanna. This activity prevents the overgrowth of trees and promotes the growth of grasslands, which benefits other herbivores in the ecosystem.
- Habitat Creation: When elephants push over trees or break branches, they create open spaces in the savanna. These open spaces are important for other species, including grazing animals like zebras and antelopes, which need space to feed.
- Water Source Creation: Elephants often dig in dry riverbeds to access water, creating waterholes that other species can use during the dry season.