Keystone Species and Ecosystem Stability

In the context of global ecological change, the role of keystone species has become a focal point for understanding biodiversity dynamics.
These species are not always the most numerous or largest in their ecosystems, yet they have a disproportionately large effect on their environment.
For instance, the sea otter, a keystone species in Pacific coastal ecosystems, helps regulate the population of sea urchins. When sea otters are removed from these environments, sea urchin populations explode, leading to the overgrazing of kelp forests, which are vital habitats for numerous marine organisms.
This chain reaction illustrates how the loss of a single species can destabilize the entire ecosystem. Ecologists argue that preserving keystone species is critical to maintaining ecological balance and overall biodiversity.