What is a Keystone Species?

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‘Key’ means very important, therefore, keystone species is a type of species in the ecosystem having
exceptionally a great importance for other species surrounding the keystone species. The abundance
of keystone species will help many other species to thrive and survive. In an ecosystem, every living
organism is dependent on other organisms to survive and the species that play a major role in
sustenance of other multiple organisms are called keystone species. 

It is not true that the number of key stone species or their biomass is large and therefore they are
named so. Rather, their effect in the survival and maintenance of a balanced ecosystem is larger as
compared to the other species. Therefore, it can be said that a keystone species is that species
having a very large effect on the community through direct and indirect pathways (even though its
abundance or biomass in the community is low).

It is also not necessary that only higher animals or carnivores are keystone species; it’s correct that
they play their role as keystone species but in certain ecosystems whereas in other ecosystems, any
other species can also be a keystone species.

Importance of Keystone Species

After knowing the keystone species definition, we move towards knowing their contribution in
maintaining a balanced ecosystem. This species has a large ramifying effect on the structuring of
communities. Keystone species can be single species or species guilds which are functional groups of
ecologically similar species. It affects the structure of communities in the following ways:

1. Transforming the physical structure of organisms.

2. Affecting the prey and host populations that include parasites, pathogens or predators.

3. Supplying the essential services and resources and acts like mutualists.

4. Affecting the flow of energy in the environment and becoming material resources as
producers and consumers.

Therefore, the loss of a keystone species can lead to the extinctions of other species and population
crashes that imbalances the dependency of different organisms on it for ecological services.

Examples of Keystone Species

Some of the keystone species examples are explained below that help us better understand the
importance of keystone species.

1. Sea Otter

Kelp, an algae, produces kelp forest under the ware bodies and this forest can be a habitat for many
species like fish, vertebrates and invertebrates. So, multiple populations of species depend upon the
kelp forest to survive. There is a threat to this kelp forest known as sea urchin because it destroys
and eats the kelp, and ultimately can destroy the kelp forest. So, what are the consequences of this
destruction of the kelp forest? The home for many other species will be gone and they won’t be
living any longer. 

Here, sea otters play an important role in saving the home of a million species; let’s learn how! Sea
Otter eats Sea Urchin and reduces its number in the aquatic ecosystem. This will indirectly help all
other species to survive as it will help kelp forest to grow (after less sea urchin in the scene) and
since thousands of vertebrates or invertebrates live around the kelp forest, they can survive and
reproduce to increase their population. This is how Sea Otters are keystone species as these are
exceptionally important for multiple other species to grow in the surroundings. 

Sea Otters

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Sea Urchins

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2. Top predator keystone species that include wolf, jaguar, leopard, lion, alligator and white
shark feed on other species and help in regulating the populations of other species. Since
deer, rabbits or other herbivores are the food for these animals and if keystone species are
absent, the green vegetation shall be missing with the maximum increase in deer, rabbits or
other herbivores.

2. In the savannas of Southern Africa, Elephants are a keystone species as they consume large
quantities of woody vegetation and uproot trees. And if large dark forest is established
which is not eaten, there will be no reach of light to other species living in the forest as well
as it will be difficult to move for other animals. 

2. Frog-eating salamanders and sea stars are keystone species in coastal North Carolina.

2. Pollinators of flowering plants are also key stone species as they play an important role in
the reproduction process (pollination) leading to generation of new plantlets. Examples are
bees, hummingbirds and bats.

2. Microorganisms are also keystone species in some ecosystems. For example, in the
temperate forest ecosystems, some groups of fungi i.e. mycorrhizae form associations with
tree roots (Pine tree) to facilitate the uptake of essential minerals and nutrients. The role of
mycorrhizae is to convert insoluble Phosphorus into soluble Phosphorus which is very
 essential for pine tree survival. If these fungi are absent here, the trees do not grow
properly, having a poor development.

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How Charismatic Megafauna Work

By: Alia Hoyt

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The super-popular giant panda has enjoyed a 17 percent wild population increase,
largely due to massive conservation and captive breeding efforts. CHRISTOPHE
BOISVIEUX/GETTY IMAGES

Giant pandas are by very definition charismatic — their natural charm and cute,
cuddly faces certainly inspire the love and devotion of even the hardest of hearts.
Characteristics like those of pandas are exactly what conservationists were banking
on when they established the term charismatic megafauna (also known
as flagship species) back in the 1980s as part of a major push to save endangered
species [source: Ducarme]. These popular animals are often the poster children in
zoo advertising and environmental protection appeals, simply because they are so
well-liked that people tend to pay more attention to the messages. Thus, donor
dollars flow more readily to support conservation and research efforts that benefit
these beloved animals and others.

"Charismatic megafauna are large animal species that have widespread popular
appeal; they are the animals that most people can recognize and may even know a
few facts about off the top of their heads," Dr. Stephanie Braccini, curator of
mammals at Zoo Atlanta, explains in an email interview. "Charismatic megafauna are
the 'social butterflies' of the zoo world in that you may come to the zoo to see them,
and they introduce you to the lesser-known species." She adds that 36 critically
endangered and endangered species call Zoo Atlanta home. "While someone may
come to the zoo to see our giant pandas or lions or giraffes, they may leave with a
love of gopher frogs or an interest in Burmese star tortoises, and in that action, a
conservationist is realized."

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Common examples of charismatic megafauna include lions, tigers, gorillas, giant

pandas and elephants. In the aquatic world, dolphins, penguins and otters fit the bill.
The broad appeal of these species is generated by several factors, including looks,
behavior and overall relatability, according to Braccini. "Giant pandas have the cute,
fluffy appeal with the almost cartoonish big ears and antics," she says. "Larger
mammals have size on their side. Watching elephants move in a large herd across
an arid terrain is almost hypnotic, moving to a rhythm like only they can hear the
music.

Meanwhile, great ape species are easy to for humans to anthropomorphize.

"Watching my own family observe the gorilla family group at Zoo Atlanta and
listening to my own children talk about the 'daddy' gorilla and the 'mommy' gorillas
starts the fire and passion for conservation, and that's what we need these species
for, to be the drive that inspires people to care about nature and wildlife," she adds.

Although it might seem like the "cool kids" of the zoo get all the glory, the goal of
promoting charismatic megafauna is actually to help both them and their often-
overlooked neighbors survive.
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Umbrella species are species that are selected for conservation-related

decisions because the conservation and protection of these species
indirectly affects the conservation and protection of other species within
their ecosystem.

Umbrella species are species that are selected as representatives of their

ecosystem when conservation plans are being made. By protecting these
organisms, other species that are a part of their ecosystem will also benefit
under the same conservation "umbrella." An umbrella species is usually
chosen to make ecosystem management strategies easier in areas where
there are a large number of species of concern or where the true
biodiversity of an ecosystem isn’t known.1

Using an umbrella species can also help conservationists make a larger

positive impact with fewer resources.2 The term umbrella species was first
coined in 1981—though the concept was used widely before
then.3 Scientists today disagree about whether or not umbrella species
should be used in conservation planning.4
Umbrella Species Definition
Umbrella species are usually chosen because scientists believe that they
are the best representatives of the ecosystem that needs to be
protected.1 One characteristic that researchers look for in an umbrella
species is their large size. That’s because the larger the individual is, the
more area they need to survive. They tend to require more space to find
enough food, good mates, and raise their young.5 Since the area where they
live is often very large, it's more likely that those areas will also be home
to lots of other species that need conservation.1

Flagship species are also likely to be larger, more visible animals. They

are used to raise money and awareness around conservation issues. But
they are more often picked because they are easily recognized by the
public or their charismatic appearance or behavior helps raise awareness
about the need for conservation of their native ecosystem.6

Like indicator species, which help alert us to changes in the environment

where they live, umbrella species also need to be easily observed for
scientists to study them. Plants and animals that are hard to find because of
their small population size or because they move around frequently are
less likely to be chosen.2

The umbrella effect is the idea that protecting one species will help protect
a large amount of co-occurring species.1 Species co-occur when their home
ranges overlap. This is usually because they share some of the same
habitat needs, like the types of temperatures they can survive in or the
need to live in rocky terrain.7 By protecting the home range of an umbrella
species, the habitats in that area will stay intact and livable for the other
species that need to live there, too.   

A study out of the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that the
number of vertebrate species in protected conservation areas for the sage
grouse was 82% higher than the amount they would expect to find in an
unprotected area.8

Similarly, the umbrella effect of the coho salmon was tested by a team of
researchers in British Columbia. They found that the species richness of
other fish in the coho’s protected home range was significantly higher than
outside of the conservation area.9
Maybe the most well-known umbrella species is the giant panda. Research
from scientists at Duke University showed that 96% of giant panda habitat
overlaps with the habitats of species that are only found in that area of
China. Current conservation areas for giant pandas overlap all but one
endemic species habitat. By protecting the home ranges of the giant panda,
the essential habitat for these species is also preserved.10

What Is An Umbrella Species?

Conservation is an important concept in the protection of wild plants and
wildlife, whether it be within their natural or adopted habitat. The goal of
conservation is to ensure that nature exists long enough for the future
generation to enjoy. The negative effects of humans on wild animals and
plants have necessitated the need for strict protection and regulation. The
endangered species who are in danger of becoming extinct are also
conserved in order to preserve lifespan. Species can be conserved directly
or can benefit from the conservation of other species around it. The
conservation of some species may require that other species around it also
be conserved, resulting in something called an umbrella effect.

Umbrella Species
Umbrella species are species that are selected for conservation-related
decisions because the conservation and protection of these species
indirectly affects the conservation and protection of other species within
their ecosystem. Umbrella species help in the selection of potential reserve
locations, as well as the determination of the composition of the reserve.
Umbrella species usually have a large area requirement for which the
conservation of the species extends the protection to other species sharing
the same habitat. Umbrella species are representative of other species in
their habitat since they are known species, and they also determine the
area of conservation. The protection extended to the other species by the
presence of the umbrella species is known as the umbrella effect.

The Umbrella Effects

The umbrella effect, which is the conservation extended to the other
species within the umbrella species habitat, is an easier way of managing
the ecological community. The concept of umbrella species has been
utilized in the creation of wildlife corridor with focal species chosen for their
suitability in the conservation process. The umbrella effect is the degree of
species impact on other surrounding species resulting from the
conservation measures undertaken in the area. Umbrella species is a
faster and less expensive means of conservation since it reduces the cost
of investment in sampling that is necessary for prioritizing an area for
conservation.

Examples Of Umbrella Species

Umbrella species can be both plants and animals species with either of the
species offering protection to the other. Most of the umbrella species are
listed as endangered or threatened on the IUCN Red List, and therefore
their conservation extends to the conservation of their habitat. Some of the
notable umbrella species include spotted owl whose conservation protects
the old growth trees the conservation of both species has led to the
protection of mollusks and salamanders within the protective boundary.
The protection of the Bay checkerspot butterfly automatically leads to the
protection of the grassland while the conservation of the Amur tiger in the
Russian Far East also means an automatic conservation and protection of
the deer and boar in their habitat. The protection of canebrake offers further
protection to broader species within its habitat because of the umbrella
effect. Protection of the rattlesnakes also offer protection to other wildlife
species found within their habitats but which require fewer conservation
measures.
Umbrella species are species selected for making conservation-related decisions,
typically because protecting these species indirectly protects the many other species
that make up the ecological community of its habitat (the umbrella effect). Species
conservation can be subjective because it is hard to determine the status of many
species. The umbrella species is often either a flagship
species whose conservation benefits other species[1]: 280  or a keystone species which
may be targeted for conservation due to its impact on an ecosystem. Umbrella species
can be used to help select the locations of potential reserves, find the minimum size of
these conservation areas or reserves, and to determine the composition, structure,

How important are

and processes of ecosystems.[2]

umbrella species?
The umbrella species are of great importance when deciding
and selecting potential conservation areas, such as the creation
of national parks, reserves or other protected wildlife areas.
Due to the rapid transformation of our ecosystems, the use of
umbrella species serve as a natural tool to assess the health
status of an ecosystem, its composition, and thus know how
to preserve it.
What is a flagship species?

 A flagship species is a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or

symbol for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause.
 By focusing on, and achieving conservation of that species, the status of
many other species which share its habitat – or are vulnerable to the same threats
- may also ...
 Flagship species are usually relatively large, and considered to be
'charismatic' in western cultures.
 Flagship species may or may not be keystone species and may or may not be
good indicators of biological process.

What is Flagship Species?

Flagship species are also known as charismatic species. These are iconic throughout the world
due to their unique appeal. Panda, polar bears, turtles, tigers, rhinoceros, etc. are a few flagship
species that have gained international recognition.
Every country can have its own flagship species that are unique to its place. For eg., Iberian lynx
is the flagship species in Spain.
Flagship species are the species that are on the verge of extinction. They are therefore used as
an ambassador to draw society’s attention towards the need to conserve them. The Bengal
Tiger, Asian Elephant, African Elephant, and Giant Panda are a few flagship species used by the
World Wildlife Fund.
The main objectives of flagship species are:

 The unique features of these animals help in attracting society’s attention.

 Raising awareness about the protection and conservation of these species.
Also Read: Concept of Species

Categories of Flagship Species

Flagship species can be divided into three different categories:

 International Flagship Species: These are the species that are recognized throughout
the world e.g. giant panda
 Cultural Flagship Species: These species represent a specific culture e.g. Bornean
Ironwood is specific to Dayak tribe. It is used for medicinal purposes and for night rituals.
 Ecological Flagship Species: These represent species with unique diversity e.g.
Malagasy Baobab found in Madagascar.

Benefits of Flagship Species

The flagship species such as pandas and elephants help in generating revenue through visits to
institutions where they are kept. This revenue helps in the protection and sustainability of
species.
The flagship species attract the public due to its unique features. This way the plight of such
creatures can be brought to the notice of the society and strategies can be implemented to
improve their condition. This creates awareness regarding biodiversity conservation among
individuals.
Also Read: Biodiversity
For more information on flagship species and their benefits, keep visiting BYJU’S website or
download BYJU’S app for further reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a flagship species?

Flagship species are those that are selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a
specific habitat, campaign or environmental cause.

Are flagship species endangered?

Yes, flagship species are endangered species. These include the charismatic animals such as
lion, tiger, elephants and giraffe.

Why are flagship species important?

The flagship species attract people’s attention and encourage people to conserve these species.

What are umbrella species?

The umbrella species are selected for making conservation-related decisions. This is because
protecting these species protects several other species that form the ecological community of its
habitat.

cascade effect A sequence of events in which each produces the

circumstances necessary for the initiation of the next. 1. In ecology, a
succession in which the organisms present at one stage provide resources
that are exploited by those at the next. 2. Cascading effects refer to the
impacts of an initiating event where: System dependencies lead to impacts
propagating to other systems, and; The combined impacts of the
propagated event are of greater consequences than the root impacts, and;
Multiple stakeholders and/or responders are involved.

Charismatic megafauna is a term used to refer to the plant and animal

species that have a large appeal, perhaps due to an attractive appearance,
to a global audience. Generally speaking, charismatic megafauna are large
animals that are easily identified.

Charismatic megafauna are animal species that are large—of the relevant category that they
represent —with symbolic value or widespread popular appeal, and are often used by
environmental activists to gain public support for environmentalist goals. Examples include
Bengal tigers, African lions, blue whales, humpback whales, giant pandas, bald eagles, California
condors, harp seals, and
Charismatic megafauna are animal species that are large—of the relevant category that
they represent [1]—with symbolic value or widespread popular appeal, and are often used
by environmental activists to gain public support for environmentalist goals.[2] Examples
include Bengal tigers, African lions, blue whales, humpback whales, giant pandas, bald
eagles, California condors, harp seals, and penguins, among countless others.[3][4][5] In this
definition, animals such as penguins or bald eagles can be considered megafauna
because they are among the largest animals within the local animal community of
pertinence, and they disproportionately affect their environment. The vast majority of
charismatic megafauna species are threatened
and endangered by overhunting, poaching, the black market trade, climate
The giant
change, habitat destruction, invasive species, and many more causes.[6]
panda is one of the best examples of charismatic megafauna in the
world. What Are Megafauna?
Charismatic megafauna is a term used to refer to the plant and animal
species that have a large appeal, perhaps due to an attractive appearance,
to a global audience. Generally speaking, charismatic megafauna are
large animals that are easily identified. Some examples of charismatic
megafauna include the giant panda, male lion, gray wolf, bald eagle,
humpback whale, polar bear, orca (killer whale), and Bengal tiger. These
animals are generally associated with environmental activism and
conservation messages. This article takes a closer look at the relationship
between charismatic megafauna and environmental conservation.

Giant pandas are by very definition charismatic — their natural charm and cute,
cuddly faces certainly inspire the love and devotion of even the hardest of hearts.
Characteristics like those of pandas are exactly what conservationists were banking
on when they established the term charismatic megafauna (also known
as flagship species) back in the 1980s as part of a major push to save endangered
species [source: Ducarme]. These popular animals are often the poster children in
zoo advertising and environmental protection appeals, simply because they are so
well-liked that people tend to pay more attention to the messages. Thus, donor
dollars flow more readily to support conservation and research efforts that benefit
these beloved animals and others.

"Charismatic megafauna are large animal species that have widespread popular
appeal; they are the animals that most people can recognize and may even know a
few facts about off the top of their heads," Dr. Stephanie Braccini, curator of
mammals at Zoo Atlanta, explains in an email interview. "Charismatic megafauna are
the 'social butterflies' of the zoo world in that you may come to the zoo to see them,
and they introduce you to the lesser-known species." She adds that 36 critically
endangered and endangered species call Zoo Atlanta home. "While someone may
come to the zoo to see our giant pandas or lions or giraffes, they may leave with a
love of gopher frogs or an interest in Burmese star tortoises, and in that action, a
conservationist is realized."
Common examples of charismatic megafauna include lions, tigers, gorillas, giant
pandas and elephants. In the aquatic world, dolphins, penguins and otters fit the bill.
The broad appeal of these species is generated by several factors, including looks,
behavior and overall relatability, according to Braccini. "Giant pandas have the cute,
fluffy appeal with the almost cartoonish big ears and antics," she says. "Larger
mammals have size on their side. Watching elephants move in a large herd across
an arid terrain is almost hypnotic, moving to a rhythm like only they can hear the
music.

Meanwhile, great ape species are easy to for humans to anthropomorphize.

"Watching my own family observe the gorilla family group at Zoo Atlanta and
listening to my own children talk about the 'daddy' gorilla and the 'mommy' gorillas
starts the fire and passion for conservation, and that's what we need these species
for, to be the drive that inspires people to care about nature and wildlife," she adds.

Although it might seem like the "cool kids" of the zoo get all the glory, the goal of
promoting charismatic megafauna is actually to help both them and their often-
overlooked neighbors survive.

One of the main principles of the charismatic megafauna movement is that these
animals function as an umbrella species. "This means that they call attention to a
home range or ecosystem through their vast appeal, and then aid in protecting other
species that make up that ecosystem," Braccini explains. "Think of sun bears and
orangutans. They share habitats in Borneo and Sumatra, and call attention to the
many conservation issues facing those ecosystems. By protecting recognizable
megafauna, we are in turn helping the plants, insects, small mammals and birds of
that ecosystem as well. It's a win-win for all those species in need of conservation
attention."

Scientists research charismatic megafauna often at higher rates from their smaller,
less adorable brethren. This is because awareness and donations are often spurred
by personal interest and attraction, and many people simply find giraffes to be more
compelling than a tiny, endangered rodent. So, the umbrella effect theory holds that
more of the little guys will be saved if a light continues to shine on the popular
animals.

"It would be nice if endangered status was correlated to a charismatic variable; it

would really help tell the conservation story for many overlooked species," Braccini
says. But it doesn't. "For example, Spengler's freshwater mussel is critically
endangered, with population numbers declining more than 90 percent over the past
30 years and is now extinct in many European areas. But a mussel species isn't very
charismatic."

Bringing a species back from the brink of extinction is an unbelievably complex

problem, as it's rarely the result of one fixable issue. Often, zoos feature one or two
big animal species in a habitat as a way of making a difficult concept — like the
relationship between animal extinction, erosion of environment and human activity —
more digestible. "By sponsoring this individual animal, an issue that is confusing and
overwhelming in its interconnectedness — habitat loss, climate change, poaching,
globalised patterns of trade and consumption — is translated into a smaller and
more manageable scale," explain University of London conservation researchers
Katherine Robinson and Monica Krause in an article discussing how the plight of the
orangutan is manipulated in one campaign to generate interest, and thus donations.
"Though some experts have long urged that conservation focus on areas, not
species, species continue to shape conservation work," they write.

The terms charismatic megafauna and flagship species are often used

interchangeably, and generally describe a species that functions as an ambassador
or symbol for a particular habitat or cause. These may or may not also be keystone
species, which perform an important or essential role in the ecosystem or habitat in
question (such as the role of the bee in pollination). An indicator species is a
bellwether of what's going on in a given ecosystem (for instance, a declining crayfish
population is an indicator of that a freshwater supply is polluted) [source: World Wide
Fund for Nature].

Charismatic megafauna as tools for conservation promotion works because we as

humans seem hardwired to prioritize the interests of attractive animals.
One University of Arizona study found that people are more likely to support
preservation efforts of animals that are attractive and resemble humans — study
participants preferred flyers with an image of an ape over that of a bat. Another study
showed that women, in particular, are more inclined to appreciate and sympathize
with loveable animals, as opposed to "fear-relevant" animals, like reptiles,
amphibians and insects [source: Schlegel].

Shallow though it might seem, a number of animals have already benefited from the
charismatic megafauna label. Bald eagles, a symbol of the United States, were the
poster species for the anti-pesticide (specifically, DDT) movement of the 1960s and
'70s. Since then, their numbers have recovered so significantly that the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service removed them from the endangered species list.

Elephants are another work-in-progress story. Although illegal poaching of a number

of species remains a tragic threat, elephants have often fronted international anti-
poaching campaigns and regulations, which impact more than 35,000 species
including these gentle giants, as well as tigers, rhinos and sharks
[source: McCarthy].

The ever-popular giant panda has enjoyed a 17 percent wild population increase
over the past decade, largely due to massive conservation and captive breeding
efforts. In fact, the species recently made headlines when the International Union for
Conservation of Nature changed its status from "endangered" to "vulnerable." A
panda famously fronts the logo of the World Wildlife Fund, arguably the biggest
organizational champion of conservation issues in the world.

Of course, charismatic megafauna remain popular attractions at zoos and

aquariums, and are likely to continue to function as "spokes-species" for the
foreseeable future. This is as much for their own good as the good of those other
animals they protect. "Zoos are also incredibly important to the survival of
charismatic megafauna," Braccini explains. "Many of these species are not safe in
their natural habitats due to hunting, poaching and/or habitat loss, and the survival of
the species may come down to the maintained population within accredited zoos and
aquariums."

Flagship species are species that help draw attention to environmental

issues. keystone species in addition to a flagship species.