keystone species
KEE-stohn SPEE-sheez
ˈkiːstoʊn ˈspiːʃiːzListen
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an organism that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its biomass or abundance; removing a keystone species causes dramatic structural change to the ecosystem, often collapsing entire communities; the concept was introduced by ecologist Robert Paine following his experiments with sea star removal in Pacific intertidal zones; examples include sea otters (controlling sea urchin populations that would otherwise destroy kelp forests), elephants (maintaining savanna openness), and certain fig species that sustain rainforest frugivore communities year-round
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