FNR 45400 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Tiger Shark, Keystone Species, Macrocystis Pyrifera

• School: Purdue University
• Department: Forestry and Natural Resources
• Course: FNR 45400
• Professor: Goforth

Document Summary

Terms to know: keystone species- a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would increase species diversity. Keystone species play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community and controlling the numbers of other organisms that inhabit the area. These species are often apex predators and, without them, the ecosystem would be unable to function sustainably as no other species can fulfill that ecological niche. Sea otters are considered keystone species as they play a critical role in the health and stability of nearshore marine ecosystems. Sea otters prey on sea urchins and other invertebrates that graze on giant kelp (estes & harrold 1988). Without sea otters, these grazing animals can destroy kelps forests and consequently the diversity of animals that depend upon the kelp habitat for survival.