Bradley B.

Humans are unquestionably the greatest keystone species. Humans impacts are disproportionately more than any other species in any ecosystem. The ability to significantly alter any landscape and thus the many connected systems is noticeable all around us. Luckily we can and are recognizing this ability and it has encouraged the study and understanding of our environment. The major factor that has increased our status as the greatest keystone species is the time frame that human impacts travel through the many interconnected ecosystems. Everything is connected and although it is convenient to imagine spatial boundaries between systems in actuality they are a figment of our imagination. Humans will continue to alter the world in which they live to best suit their needs. Hopefully humans will begin to assess their needs for a future.