Keystone Species
Keystone Species
Keystone species plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and functioning of the ecosystem in
which they live.
o It is not necessarily the most abundant species in the ecosystem.
o If a keystone species is removed from an ecosystem, the community can become less stable
and susceptible to structure changes.
Trophic Cascade
Trophic cascade is triggered by the addition or removal of a species from an ecosystem.
o This can affect the population of predatory and prey organisms through a food chain.
o A trophic cascade can lead to dramatic changes in the structure of an ecosystem and
recycling of nutrients.
Keystone Species
maintain the balance of organisms
o If lost it affects a number of other species in the community
o Often only identified after an ecosystem has been impacted
indicating features include:
a. Ability to eat a variety of organisms in the ecosystem (keep all populations under control)
(interactions)
b. Influence on other organisms is out of proportion to its biomass or abundance
Keystone Species
Keystone species plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and functioning of the ecosystem in
which they live.
o It is not necessarily the most abundant species in the ecosystem.
o If a keystone species is removed from an ecosystem, the community can become less stable
and susceptible to structure changes.
Trophic Cascade
Trophic cascade is triggered by the addition or removal of a species from an ecosystem.
o This can affect the population of predatory and prey organisms through a food chain.
o A trophic cascade can lead to dramatic changes in the structure of an ecosystem and
recycling of nutrients.
Keystone Species
maintain the balance of organisms
o If lost it affects a number of other species in the community
o Often only identified after an ecosystem has been impacted
indicating features include:
a. Ability to eat a variety of organisms in the ecosystem (keep all populations under control)
(interactions)
b. Influence on other organisms is out of proportion to its biomass or abundance
