Question

Differentiate between the following:

Keystone species and Critical link species

Answer 1

Keystone Species	Critical Link Species
1. Keystone species are species that play a major role in maintaining the structure and stability of an ecosystem.	1. Critical link species are species that play an essential role in supporting other species through important ecological interactions.
2. Their influence on the ecosystem is much greater than their abundance.	2. They help maintain essential ecological processes such as pollination, seed dispersal and nutrient cycling.
3. Their removal may cause major changes in the community structure and biodiversity.	3. Their removal may disrupt important ecological interactions and affect the survival of dependent species.
4. Example: Starfish (Pisaster) in rocky intertidal communities.	4. Example: Honeybees that pollinate flowering plants.