Keystone species

Rewilding frequently involves restoring populations of so-called “keystone species”. But what exactly are they, and how can they improve rewilding outcomes?

In every ecosystem, an organism has a role to fulfill Learn the keystone species examples and why they are an important player in an ecosystem.

Learn about keystone species in ecology. Get the definition and examples and discover the importance of a keystone species in an ecosystem.

Keystone Species Sampler: Purple Sea Star

In the 1920s, government policy allowed the extermination of Yellowstone’s gray wolf—the apex predator—triggering an ecosystem collapse known as trophic cascade. In 1995—through use of the Endangered Species Act—the conservation community reintroduced the gray wolf to restore balance. The impact was dramatic.

Beavers (like SPREE’s mascot, Chompers!) are cute, funky looking creatures that have inspired human curiosity for centuries, but did you know that they play an essential role in our river ecosystems? By blocking river flow, a beaver’s dam can create ponds or deeper channels of water. Many fish, like Colorado’s Greenback Cutthroat Trout, thrive in

Keystone Species: A species critical to the survival of an ecosystem.

Exploring Trophic Cascades | This interactive module explores examples of how changes in one species can affect species at other trophic levels and ultimately the entire ecosystem.

define keystone species

Different types of Keystone species with examples