The Ecological Definition and Significance The term "keystone" is borrowed from architecture, where it is the central stone at the summit of an arch that locks all the other stones into position. This behavior, known as "ecosystem engineering," is crucial for maintaining the balance between grasslands and forests.
Identifying Keystone Species in Critical Link Ecosystems
Example One: The Sea Otter A Guardian of Kelp Forests In the North Pacific coastal waters, the sea otter stands as one of the most celebrated examples of a keystone predator. This allows vast kelp forests to thrive, which in turn provide habitat and food for countless other species, including fish, invertebrates, and seabirds.
In ecology, a keystone species plays a similar role, holding together the community structure through its interactions with other organisms. By pushing over trees, elephants prevent the encroachment of woody vegetation, thereby preserving the open grasslands that countless other species depend on.
Identifying Keystone Species in Critical Link Ecosystems
Paine in the 1960s to describe predators that maintain the balance of intertidal communities. The intricate relationship between the otter, the urchin, and the kelp forest demonstrates how a single species can maintain an entire ecosystem’s structure.
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