Types of Keystone Species

The following are the types of keystone species:

Keystone Predators

Predators dominates the density and feed on a major consumer, perhaps driving other species out of the ecosystem through competition or predation. Furthermore, predators that control the abundance of other ecologically important prey species have been named keystone species.

Keystone Ecosystem Engineers/Modifiers

Ecosystem engineers shape the physical topography of their habitat, much like foundation species do. Habitats are created, altered, and maintained by ecosystem engineers. Some engineers alter their biology in order to alter their surroundings. We refer to these as autogenic engineers. The surroundings that allogenic engineers work in are physically altered.

Keystone Mutualists

Two or more species that collaborate effectively are known as keystone mutualists. A shift in one species would have an effect on the others and alter the ecosystem as a whole. These are frequently pollinators like bees.

Keystone Hosts

If mobile linkages, also known as keystone mutualists, rely on critically or ecologically significant host plants, then these hosts are also referred to as keystones. This group includes plants that support generalist pollinators as well as trait dispersers that are considered key mobility linkages.

Keystone Preys

Keystone prey are species that can sustain their numbers despite being preyed upon, hence controlling the density of a predator. A predator-prey species that can maintain its abundance in the face of predation might influence community structure by preserving predator density and thereby reducing the density of other prey.

Keystone species are those that are unique and essential to the functioning of an ecosystem. Keystone species research provides essential theory and evidence for conservation ecology, biodiversity, habitat management, and the dynamics and stability of the ecosystem. Their daily actions have a direct or indirect impact on a wide range of other species. Keystone species can also include herbivores. They contribute to the biological and physical regulation of an environment through their consumption of plants.