Question

Which terms best describe the role played by each organism in an ecosystem?

A species of prairie dog only eats grasses and seeds in its ecosystem. It burrows in the grassland, which aerates the soil and leads to a greater
diversity of grasses. It is also a source of food for coyotes. The prairie dog is a(Keystone herbivore, herbivore, Keystone prey)
and the coyote is a(Predator, Keystone predator, Competitor)
Plzzz answers

Answer 1

The correct answers are:

- Keystone Herbivore

- Predator

Step-by-step explanation:

I got it right on the Edmentum test.

Answer 2

- Keystone herbivore

- Predator

Step-by-step explanation:

The prairie dog is a herbivore, as it feeds upon plants and their products. But that is not its only role. The prairie dog also helps in the aeration of the soil, which is excellent for the grasses. It fertilizes the soil, and it spreads out the seeds, which contributes to much denser and healthier vegetation in the prairie. It is also a prey, namely of the coyote. So all in all, the prairie dog is a keystone herbivore, as it is a species on which the ecosystem heavily relies on. The coyote's role in the ecosystem is much simpler, it is a predator, thus it has a role of regulating the population of the herbivores, such as the prairie dog.