The starfish Pisaster is an important predator in the intertidal communities of which coast?

American pacific coast

The answer is (a), the American Pacific coast. Pisaster is a keystone species in the rocky intertidal communities of the American Pacific coast. This means that it plays a vital role in the ecosystem and its removal would have a significant impact on the other species that live there.

That is a great example of how predators can help to maintain species diversity in a community. In the absence of predators, the populations of prey species can grow unchecked, leading to increased competition for resources. This can lead to the extinction of some prey species, as they are unable to compete effectively.

The starfish Pisaster is an important predator in the rocky intertidal communities of the American Pacific coast. It feeds on a variety of invertebrates, including mussels, barnacles, and sea urchins. When all the starfish were removed from an enclosed intertidal area, the populations of these prey species grew unchecked. This led to increased competition for space and food, and more than 10 species of invertebrates became extinct within a year.

This experiment shows that predators play an important role in maintaining species diversity in a community. By reducing the intensity of competition among prey species, predators help to ensure that a wider variety of species can coexist.