Keystone species are organisms that have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance. They play a crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of an ecosystem.
Think of keystone species as the "glue" that holds an ecosystem together. Just like how removing a keystone from an arch would cause it to collapse, the removal of a keystone species can lead to significant disruptions in an ecosystem.
Trophic cascade: A trophic cascade occurs when changes in the population size of one species at one trophic level result in indirect effects on other trophic levels.
Ecological niche: An ecological niche refers to the specific role and position that a species has within its environment, including its interactions with other organisms and its use of resources.
Indicator species: Indicator species are organisms whose presence, absence, or abundance can provide information about certain environmental conditions or changes.
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