In nature, some species are critical to the functioning of an ecosystem and, if they were to disappear, the ecosystem would alter dramatically. For example, elephants help create grasslands by clearing woodlands, thus helping the feeding habits of grazers like zebras and wildebeest that, in turn, helps predators. They also disperse undigested seeds that grow into trees and dig and maintain waterholes which benefit many species.
Species with these characteristics are called keystone species and can be organisms from animals to plants to fungi. The term was coined by Robert Paine, an American biologist, who named it after the small architectural component at the top of an arch that stops it from collapsing.
A fascinating example of the immense ecological impact keystone species have on an ecosystem is that of the reintroduction of wolves into the Yellowstone National Park (USA) after a 100-year absence. Their introduction literally changed the course of Yellowstone’s rivers 🤯.
Check out this short video for more on that:
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Loved it, considering that I studied Biology in my undergrad but now I'm a Business Major. Refreshing to remember how much adverse impact one can have in their surroundings and how the entire environment responds to their presence. Good one Robert.