Conservation terms that describe species

Keystone Species:

A keystone species plays a crucial role in the functions of a healthy ecosystem. Without them, the system would be drastically altered or even cease to exist. The contributions of a keystone species are large and doesn’t always match the species’ prevalence in the habitat.

If a keystone species disappears; a domino effect begins to happen and other species that rely on that keystone, would change. One example would be if a large predator is removed from a system where deer lived;  deer populations could explode. The ecosystem cannot support that many animals. Competition for food and other resources would result among the deer themselves; their populations would decline and overall fitness levels would lower in the herds.

You can read an article published on Huff Post that discusses this issue further by clicking this link.

Foundation Species

Foundation species have major role in maintaining or even creating a habitat that supports other species. A great example of this would be corals. Corals produce the reef structures that countless species live and depend on.

Umbrella Species

An umbrella species is very similar to a keystone species. Many umbrella species are migratory and their daily activities help shape and maintain a balance to the ecosystem. By protecting an umbrella species, you are automatically protecting a number of other species who rely on that particular species.

Indicator Species

An indicator species is very sensitive to environmental changes in its ecosystem. By monitoring these species, conservationist can get early warning signs of habitat changes. External influences from changes in air, water or climate present themselves to these indicator species first.

Reference: National Geographic

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_elephant#/media/File:African_Bush_Elephant.jpg