Everyday Science · 45 sec
Keystone species
The science behind something you encounter, use, or wonder about.
The useful idea
- One species has wide effects
Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.
- Abundance can be small
A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its natural environment relative to its abundance.
- Community-wide effects
Keystone species play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organisms
Why this matters
Look for Keystone species the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Try this
Look for Keystone species the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Keystone species?
- One species has wide effects — correct
- Abundance can be small
- Community-wide effects
Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.