Overview
The concept of the keystone species was introduced by zoologist [[robert-t-paine|Robert T. Paine]] in 1969, likening these species to the keystone in an architectural arch: remove it, and the entire structure can collapse. These species are critical for maintaining biodiversity, influencing the abundance and types of other organisms, and shaping the overall ecological community. Their removal can lead to dramatic shifts, cascading extinctions, and the potential disintegration of the ecosystem. Examples range from apex predators like the [[gray-wolf|gray wolf]] to ecosystem engineers such as [[beaver|beavers]] and foundational species like [[corals|corals]].