In the dictionary it states that a keystone species is "a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically". After watching the documentary on this subject during last weeks class, it dawned on me how something so small as a movement or change in one species could trigger a huge domino affect of events. During the video, the narrorator gave an example of the starfish on a shoreline. The environmentalist removed some starfish and different consequences proceeded from this action. More mussels would cling to the shore and eat away this organism, and if they continued to eat so much of it the other organisms would not be eaten. I am sure i am more or less wrong in my example but the point was one change can affect the whole sea.
We as humans control allot of our environment and if we were eliminated the other species would not change. Humans are not a keystone species. if all our factories were shut down, all of the technology and other man made devices were suddenly removed from this earth, organisms and other species would still prosper. Except for the common household dog. the earth and species have existed before us and our contribution has done nothing but destroy and tarnish there existence. My only debate about this would be humans and hunting. In the US sometimes deer tend to overpopulate themselves and it is lawful to kill more than necessary. But at the same time if we were not here, then more deer means more food for coyotes and other wildlife who eat them.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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