A keystone species play a far more important role than it’s relative abundance suggests. These species are the center pieces of their given communities and without them their ecosystem and habitat will fall apart. Keystones species are generally found in low numbers are often apex predators that control distribution and population, but are not limited to food sources, mutualistic species, and different providers. Some of these species are even ecosystem engineers that create or maintain habitats for other species. Two of the most amazing keystone species are the sea otter and the American alligator. Sea otters are a keystone species in the Pacific Northwest and the marine ecosystems found along California’s shoreline. Sea otters are a very
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Early in life alligators are prey for birds, turtles, snakes, mammals, and other larger alligators. Then as the alligator grows they gain a presence in the community. Alligators over four feet long are consider the top predators in the ecosystem and are essential in controlling the populations of their prey. Large alligators also construct gator holes. The alligators use their tails and snout to clear out the muck and push away the vegetation. These gator holes serve an imperative role in the ecosystem during the dry season. During the dry season water levels will decrease and shallow water will evaporate and dry up. Thus the vacant gator holes serve as shelter to many aquatic animals and are a fundamental food source as well. Alligators also have the ability to connect and separate distinct bodies of water, which is dependent upon the season. In recent years the American Alligators population has begun to decline due to surrounding populations of pythons. May humans have also served a role in the recent decline of alligators as many hunt them for sport and their skin. Others kill them because they believe the alligators are dangerous. If populations of American Alligators continue to decline then many unwanted species will populate the everglades and swarms of fish will infest the waters. Due to increase in the populations, some species of aquatic plant life
Early in life alligators are prey for birds, turtles, snakes, mammals, and other larger alligators. Then as the alligator grows they gain a presence in the community. Alligators over four feet long are consider the top predators in the ecosystem and are essential in controlling the populations of their prey. Large alligators also construct gator holes. The alligators use their tails and snout to clear out the muck and push away the vegetation. These gator holes serve an imperative role in the ecosystem during the dry season. During the dry season water levels will decrease and shallow water will evaporate and dry up. Thus the vacant gator holes serve as shelter to many aquatic animals and are a fundamental food source as well. Alligators also have the ability to connect and separate distinct bodies of water, which is dependent upon the season. In recent years the American Alligators population has begun to decline due to surrounding populations of pythons. May humans have also served a role in the recent decline of alligators as many hunt them for sport and their skin. Others kill them because they believe the alligators are dangerous. If populations of American Alligators continue to decline then many unwanted species will populate the everglades and swarms of fish will infest the waters. Due to increase in the populations, some species of aquatic plant life