Duncan B.

Based on the descriptions of a keystone species concept,a keystone species being one whose impacts on its community or ecosystem are large and greater than would be expected from its relative abundance or total biomass noticed when they are removed or they disappear from an ecosystem, resulting in dramatic changes to the rest of the community, I would have to agree that Humans are the greatest keystone species of all. The impacts that we humans have on our community and surrounding ecosystem is larger and more apparent then any other species. I do not see humans drastically being removed from the earth, but if it were to happen there would be dramatic changes to the community and ecosystem. The affects we have on our ecosystem includes all aspects of the ecosystem. Our removal would definitely affect the abundance of other species that are suppressed by our existence. Humans control and alteration of ecosystems is so great that if they were removed the natural ecosystem would be able to take back over. I would have to agree with Dr. Paine's statement the humans are the greatest keystone species.