Research news on keystone species

A keystone species is a taxon whose ecological impact on community structure and ecosystem function is disproportionately large relative to its abundance or biomass. Through trophic interactions, habitat modification, or regulation of competitors and prey, keystone species maintain species diversity, control population dynamics, and stabilize food web architecture. Their removal typically triggers cascading effects, such as trophic cascades, phase shifts, or regime changes, often resulting in altered nutrient cycling, productivity, and community composition. Identification of keystone species commonly involves experimental manipulations, network analysis, and quantitative measures of interaction strength to distinguish their role from that of dominant or foundation species in ecological systems.