Keystone Species
- clairecshi
- Feb 7
- 2 min read
Written by Kaho Ishihara
What are Keystone Species?
Keystone species are organisms that are crucial to the ecosystem for the survival of other species and the maintenance of an ecosystem’s biodiversity. They can generally be divided into three groups: predators, ecosystem engineers, or mutualists.
Predators, such as wolves, control prey populations and prevent them from overconsuming other organisms.
Ecosystem engineers, such as beavers, create, destroy, or change habitats.
Mutualists, such as bees and flowers, involve at least two species that interact to benefit both species.
Without a stable population of keystone species, whole ecosystems can collapse. Therefore, it is important to ensure that we do not endanger their environment or population.
Are Humans Keystone Species?
Humans are often considered “‘hyperkeystone’ species that drives complex interaction chains by affecting other keystone actors across different habitats” (Worm). There are two major reasons for this classification.
“Super predator”: A research study by Chris Darimont, Caroline Fox, Heather Bryan, and Thomas Reimchen has revealed that “humans kill adult prey (up to 14 times higher), with particularly intense exploitation of terrestrial carnivores and fishes.” While most predators “target juveniles,” humans target reproductive adults, impacting an ecosystem more than nonhuman predators.
Ecosystem Engineers: According to David Lodge, an environmental scientist, “humans are the greatest modern ecosystem engineers” through urbanization, agriculture, and industrialization, altering Earth’s health. The influence humans have as ecosystem engineers is “attributed to…reproduction and consumption.”
Because of this influence, although formally the Earth is considered to be in the Holocene Epoch, it is unofficially recognized as the Anthropocene Epoch. This period is defined by human domination of influence on the climate and environment.
Human Responsibility
Unlike other keystone species that naturally maintain balance in ecosystems, humans can either harm it through actions such as habitat destruction and overconsumption or aid the balance through environmental conservation and the rescue of endangered species.
Therefore, our actions prove pivotal in maintaining Earth’s ecosystems. As a hyperkeystone species, we are responsible for creating a sustainable environment for all organisms by reducing climate change and addressing current environmental issues.
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