(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Keystone Species Regulators of the Ecosystem

(October-2023)

Our planet is unique because of the diversity of life forms it holds. This enormous diversity of life known as biodiversity includes every living thing, including plants, animals, microorganisms and humans.
It is believed that there are about 8.7 million different kinds of plants and animals. But so far, only about 1.2 million species, most of which are insects, have been found and named. This means that nothing is known about millions of other living things.
Even in this millions of species a few species are given more weightage than others, because of the service they provide to the ecosystem.

Keystone species are one such group of organisms that provide enormous service to the ecosystem.
The concept of a keystone species was first proposed by ecologist Robert T Paine in the 1960s.
A keystone species is a species that plays a critical and disproportionately large role in maintaining the structure and functioning of an ecosystem.
The presence or absence of a keystone species can have a significant impact on the overall biodiversity and stability of an ecosystem.
Keystone species often have strong interactions with other species in their environment, influencing their populations and shaping community dynamics. The removal or decline of a keystone species can result in significant disruptions to the ecosystem.