keystone species
[ kē′stōn′ ]
A species whose presence and role within an ecosystem has a disproportionate effect on other organisms within the system. A keystone species is often a dominant predator whose removal allows a prey population to explode and often decreases overall diversity. Other kinds of keystone species are those, such as coral or beavers, that significantly alter the habitat around them and thus affect large numbers of other organisms. Compare indicator species.
Words nearby keystone species
keysmash,
keystone,
keystone comedy,
keystone joist,
keystone kop,
keystone species,
keystone state,
keystoner,
keystroke,
keyway,
keyword