Daniel K

A Keystone Species is a species that has a disproportionate effect on its environment relative to its abundance. This species have a great impact on other species in an ecosystem determining their types and amounts. We humans are one of this “Keystone Species.” We are the ones that most impact the ecosystem as a whole. It is explained on the article that removing the starfish from its environment had a great impact on the mussel’s population growth. This is an example of when a species is removed from its own environment. But what happens when we add a new species to an existing environment?
Humans basically “destroy” (with roads, buildings, etc.) whatever ecosystem we encounter on our way. We are just focused on ourselves and in maximizing profits. Also we are not aware of the effects we cause on other ecosystems, like wastewater running into rivers or lakes. In conclusion, we are kind of the biggest keystone species, because we can change any ecosystem in a negative way (very few times in a positive way).