Affiliation:
1. Department of Geography University of Victoria Victoria British Columbia Canada
2. Departments of Botany and Zoology University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
3. Department of Biology Dalhousie University Halifax Nova Scotia Canada
4. Raincoast Conservation Foundation Denny Island British Columbia Canada
Abstract
AbstractAlthough the keystone species concept was conceived of over 50 years ago, contemporary efforts to synthesize related literature have been limited. Our objective was to create a list of keystone animal species identified in the literature and to examine the variation in the traits of species and the ecosystem influences they elicit. We documented 230 species considered keystones. A clustering analysis classified them into five archetypes based on combinations of their taxonomic class, body size, trophic level, and role (consumers, modifiers, or prey). Although conservation and public perception of keystones primarily focuses on large vertebrate consumers, our analysis reveals that researchers have defined a wide diversity of keystone species, with large variation in associated ecosystem processes. Future research may confront ambiguity in the definition of keystone status, as well as clarify the type, abundance, and quality of data required to assign the term. Identifying keystones with increased rigor would not only enrich the literature but also inform intervention to safeguard threatened keystones and their associated influences on ecosystems.
Funder
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Subject
Nature and Landscape Conservation,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cited by
1 articles.
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