A species that is critical to habitat and whose ______ would cause the collapse of its entire ecosystem.

Fill in the blank, bot.

A species that is critical to a habitat and whose elimination would cause the collapse of its entire ecosystem is known as a keystone species. Keystone species play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and health of their ecosystems. Their population or activities directly impact other species and the overall functioning of the ecosystem. Removing a keystone species can lead to significant disruptions and potentially the collapse of the entire ecosystem.