Keystone species are really important for keeping ecosystems healthy. They play special roles that help support a wide variety of plants and animals around them. Here’s how they help:
Ecosystem Balance: Keystone species help keep the number of other animals in check. For example, sea otters eat sea urchins. If there are too many sea urchins, they can damage kelp forests. Without otters, kelp forests could disappear, and that would change the whole ocean environment.
Habitat Creation: Some keystone species create homes for other creatures. Beavers are a great example. They build dams that make ponds. These ponds provide wetland areas where many different animals can live and thrive.
Nutrient Cycling: Keystone species also help recycle nutrients in their habitats. Take elephants, for instance. When they walk through their home, they trample plants. This helps new plants grow and adds nutrients back into the soil.
It’s really important to understand and protect these key species. They help keep our planet diverse and ecosystems healthy.
Keystone species are really important for keeping ecosystems healthy. They play special roles that help support a wide variety of plants and animals around them. Here’s how they help:
Ecosystem Balance: Keystone species help keep the number of other animals in check. For example, sea otters eat sea urchins. If there are too many sea urchins, they can damage kelp forests. Without otters, kelp forests could disappear, and that would change the whole ocean environment.
Habitat Creation: Some keystone species create homes for other creatures. Beavers are a great example. They build dams that make ponds. These ponds provide wetland areas where many different animals can live and thrive.
Nutrient Cycling: Keystone species also help recycle nutrients in their habitats. Take elephants, for instance. When they walk through their home, they trample plants. This helps new plants grow and adds nutrients back into the soil.
It’s really important to understand and protect these key species. They help keep our planet diverse and ecosystems healthy.