Keystone species

Question

Define and give a real life example of a keystone species.

Answer 1

The term was coined in the 1960s by Robert Paine after he removed all of a single species of starfish from tidal pools on the coast of Washington state. The starfish didn’t seem to be dominant in those tide pools, but when he removed them, the tiny ecosystems collapsed. The species the starfish had been quietly eating overproduced and overate their food source.

You can find more information and examples by searching on Paine’s name or in places like the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Answer 2

Hello!

A keystone species is a species that isn't necessarily abundant, but has a dramatic effect on the overall function of an ecosystem. An example of this would be the honey bee. Honeybees are responsible for the large majority of plant pollination. Without bees to pollinate these plants, not only will plant species die off, but so will the herbivores that rely on those plants as their main food source. Additionally, this will affect secondary consumers who rely on those herbivores as a primary food source. This domino effect continues throughout the food chain and eventually destroys an ecosystem entirely. As you can see, the removal of the small and non-abundant honey bee can wreak havoc on an ecosystem therefore, it is considered a keystone species.

I hope this helps!!