Keystone Species

Keystone species are extremely important in ecosystems across the world. They help control things like population, abiotic and biotic life, and impacts on human life. Keystone species essentially control the functions of the environment they live in, and provide positive and negative effects. In class, we studied the effect that wolves had on the environment of Yellowstone National Park. Now, I introduce Grizzly Bears and Beavers as my two examples of a Keystone Species. Beavers completely change their respective ecosystems because they build dams, which then creates wetlands, in order to catch prey and build shelters. Grizzly Bears help to regulate populations of prey and provide surrounding areas with valuable nutrients. Both of these species impact their respective ecosystems in similar and different ways. Beavers are viewed as a common pest throughout suburban America, as they are associated with creating dams, which causes flooding. Beavers possess the need to build dams so they can easily trap
They are similar because they allow life to flourish. Grizzlies help provide nutrients for trees, therefore sparking growth and overall health of the tree and beavers essentially create another ecosystem through the formation of wetlands, attracting several new species. This development of new life links these two kinds of species. However, they share a few differences between them. For Example, beavers totally change their ecosystem by wiping out sections of rivers, stopping the flow of them. By changing this part of the ecosystem, they completly impact the water levels on their side of the dam, which can cause extreme cases of flooding. With grizzlies, we do not see this intense change. They do not allow a whole new ecosystem to evolve, as they only control populations and spread nutrients. Beavers and Grizzlies both impact their ecosystems in a unique