Escalante, Estefany
September 29, 2015
Biology 101-18598
Krista Hahn
Keystone Species
Keystone species is a species that is very impactful within its ecosystem. A keystone species can be a plant or an animal that has a very specific job ecologically. If there were no keystone species, our world would be a completely different place, or maybe would not exist. All species depend on each other, but the benefits of keystone species are much greater than any other species. If a keystone species would disappear, it would start a chain reaction and a lot of other species would become extinct. A tiny bit of keystone species produce an immense tremble on the environment.
For example, sea stars: they are very small keystones, yet so impactful in their community. A study was done by zoologist Robert T. Paine in which he addressed that eliminating the Pisaster Ochraceus sea star in Tatoosh Island had a major downfall in its surrounding community. The sea stars were eating mussels, and with the …show more content…
It can be as simple as throwing a candy wrapper in the ocean. When nonessential things end up where they’re not supposed to be, toxic things can occur. Maybe all this trash from humans that is landing in our oceans along with high temperature of water produces this unknown bacteria that is attacking the sea stars. Although a piece of trash does not seem like a big deal on the surface, it can go a lot farther than we would think. Even though this outbreak is occurring and it might be too late to clean up all of the pollution we as humans have produced into the ocean, it is never too late to start attempting ways to reduce this pollution. Just putting in a small effort of keeping our ocean clean, can prevent more sea stars from getting sick and can help reduce the risk of other species becoming ill as
September 29, 2015
Biology 101-18598
Krista Hahn
Keystone Species
Keystone species is a species that is very impactful within its ecosystem. A keystone species can be a plant or an animal that has a very specific job ecologically. If there were no keystone species, our world would be a completely different place, or maybe would not exist. All species depend on each other, but the benefits of keystone species are much greater than any other species. If a keystone species would disappear, it would start a chain reaction and a lot of other species would become extinct. A tiny bit of keystone species produce an immense tremble on the environment.
For example, sea stars: they are very small keystones, yet so impactful in their community. A study was done by zoologist Robert T. Paine in which he addressed that eliminating the Pisaster Ochraceus sea star in Tatoosh Island had a major downfall in its surrounding community. The sea stars were eating mussels, and with the …show more content…
It can be as simple as throwing a candy wrapper in the ocean. When nonessential things end up where they’re not supposed to be, toxic things can occur. Maybe all this trash from humans that is landing in our oceans along with high temperature of water produces this unknown bacteria that is attacking the sea stars. Although a piece of trash does not seem like a big deal on the surface, it can go a lot farther than we would think. Even though this outbreak is occurring and it might be too late to clean up all of the pollution we as humans have produced into the ocean, it is never too late to start attempting ways to reduce this pollution. Just putting in a small effort of keeping our ocean clean, can prevent more sea stars from getting sick and can help reduce the risk of other species becoming ill as