Key species: What are and examples

The key species are organisms that play a important role in populations dynamics That, if removed, they would have catastrophic effects on the ecosystem with disproportionals consequences in relation to the number they represent. They are characterized by:

• Have an effect on the abundance of other species.
• Modify the structure of a community.
• Exercise an up-down effect at lower trophic levels: providing them with indispensable resources.
• Prevent the monopoly of dominant species.

Importance of key species

There is arc analogy to exemplify the importance and how the key species influence the structure of the community. In this arc analogy, an angular piece is located in the center of the arc that is the one that provides the structure and support, as well as the key species. If moved, the arch would fall.

The important role played by key species has been used by man to Recover degraded ecosystems. In these areas species have been incorporated that were initially eliminated, either by reasons such as hunting, climate change or the change in land use, among other reasons. When the balance is recovered by reintegration of key species, the multiplication waterfall of species on which pressure was previously exerted can be triggered.

Key species can be both large predators and small plants. There are four Types of key specieswhich can be classified as:

• Predators
• Mutualists
• Ecosystem engineers
• Herbivores

Next, we will see examples of key species and some of its characteristics.

This type of key species in the trophic network is responsible for controlling prey organisms. Population predators or controllers are what They head the trophic chain. This control derives in a waterfall effect that affects the species in a descending way, becoming even in plant communities. If these key species did not exist, herbivorous animals could consume so many vegetables that there could even be a decrease in available oxygen.

Sea stars and mussels

The key species concept was coined when Bob Paine discovered that, if he eliminated the sea stars from a small ecosystem, the mussels began to reproduce more. Another fifteen species of the site disappeared completely due to the displacement by the mussels. If it eliminated any of these other species, the same effect was not created. The sea stars They are mussel predatorsand all the balance of the ecosystem of these waters depends on them.

If you want to know more information from the sea star: characteristics, reproduction and taxonomy, do not hesitate to read this article that we recommend.

Tigre Shark

He Galleocerdo tiger Inhabits shallow tropical waters. He is known as the sea dump because he can feed practically everything: from fish, dugongos, turtles, crustaceans and dolphins, to human garbage. It’s a Tope depredatorhaving an important role in the balance of the marine trophic chain. It can consume injured or freshly dead animals, helping to keep the waters clean. By consuming numerous herbivores, they help them not overcome plant species or algaras, which have an important role in global oxygen production.

Here you can read more about predators and dams: examples and characteristics.

Mutualism is a type of interaction between species in which both They get benefits as they are associated. In this way, the close relationships between these species can create bridges between the different biological kingdoms. In this other post of ecology, you can read more about mutualism: definition and examples.

Bees and pollination

Humanity depends on bees populations. This is due to the important pollination work that bees perform. To feed, they consume the nectar of flowers and, during the process, help the pollen be transported so that fertilization occurs. This process is the one that originates both the fruits and the development and plant reproduction. Crops and plants are the basis of our food, on which the economy, labor market, industry and ecosystem services also depend. Today they are reducing bee communities Because of the excessive use of pesticides and climate change, increasingly approaching our food insecurity.

These are key species that Physically modify your environmentas engineers that transform and build. They can be autogenic engineers, where the organism modifies itself, or alogenic, where they alter environmental materials with mechanical or physical methods.

Mangroves

This is a type of Autogenic engineerwhere its roots protect the coast of waves, wind and water erosion or water. They also provide an ecosystem to house numerous species, such as molluscs or migratory birds. In these other articles you can find more information about what a mangrove is and its characteristics and the types of erosion that exist.

Lianas and tree branches

This type of key species of an ecosystem is important, since trees extend their branches where birds perch. They can also have flexible extensions as lianas, which are useful for animals to support or move through them.

Fierro stick and shadow production

Olneya Tesota It is a Sonora desert tree, in Mexico, whose canopy is unique among desert species because it creates a dense pattern with overlapping branches and leaves. Unlike other trees, the branches do not usually grow near the trunk, creating a very large refuge area. They are perennial trees that live up to 800 years, which creates a constant microhabitat. Each hectare of Fierro stick concentrates 100 plant species, and it has been observed that in the presence of it plant abundance exceeds up to 100%, the height of the columnar cactus increases by 87%and the wealth of species grows by 60%.

Beavers and forest maintenance

The beavers cut trunks with their sharp teeth to create dams where they accumulate water to build their habitat, which is also used by several more species. Thanks to this function, forests get rid of weak or old trees to constantly renew. This is a type of Alogenic engineering.

Loro fish and sand production

Most of the sand production. These family fish Scaridae They have grouped teeth that form a kind of peak, with which they roast dead corals. After ingesting them, they defecates them in the form of sand. In addition to the important role they have in soil formation, they help remove withered corals, allowing new healthy corals to develop.

These key species intervene in the Vegetable communities and, in turn, in other organisms that depend on such plants. They have also helped natural selection, where vegetables have had to develop defense mechanisms, influencing aptitude in terms of adapting plants.

White tail deer

He Odocoileus Virginianus It feeds on pastures and shrubs, but beyond the effect that it exerts directly on this vegetation, it also has it indirectly on numerous animal species. A study⁽¹⁾ He did an experiment raising fences in the whose whose -time national park to avoid the entrance of the white tail deer, while left other control sites where he could enter. They observed that in the sites Where the deer could travel and grazing existed a higher percentage in the number of speciescompared to the closed site. Animals that benefit indirectly from the herbivorism of the deer range from salamanders, snakes, to invertebrates.

Discover more about herbivorous animals: what are and examples in this ecology article.

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