Final answer:
Loss of a keystone species can result in ecological disaster, causing population collapses and dramatically altering ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the reading materials, the loss of a keystone species can lead to significant disruptions in the ecosystem, which can result in ecological disaster. Keystone species, such as wolves in Yellowstone or sea stars in coral reefs, have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance. The removal or loss of such species can dramatically affect numerous other species within the community, potentially leading to population collapses, altered ecosystem structures, loss of biodiversity, and negative consequences for human welfare due to the collapse of ecosystems.