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Did you know about “Keystone Species?”

Posted in: News

by Natalie Maclean-Visser, MCH, MCLP
MCH Board of Director
Production Manager, North Territory
NatureWorks

We all know how important pollinators are to our lives and our gardens, but another fascinating concept is keystone species. Did you know that oak trees support over 500 species of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera)?

Keystone plant species are plants that quite literally help hold our natural world together through the powerful effects they have on other plants and animals. All keystone species are native, but not every native plant is a keystone.

In North America, goldenrods are among the top 30 keystone host plants for Lepidoptera, supporting more than 100 species that eventually become moths and butterflies. Caterpillars are also an essential protein source for many birds and their young. In addition, native goldenrod supports over 40 species of bees. This is just one example of how a single plant can play a critical role—not only in our gardens, but in supporting entire ecosystems.

There are also many examples of animals as keystone species. Understanding their role helps us see how they maintain healthy populations of prey and plant life, and how our actions can directly impact the balance of nature.

A simple but fascinating example involves sea otters. Otters are considered a keystone species because they eat sea urchins, which feed on kelp forests. By keeping urchin populations in check, otters help maintain kelp forests that provide habitat, food, and protection for many marine species. This relationship is known as a “trophic cascade.” Without these important keystone species, kelp forests can decline dramatically, leading to a ripple effect throughout the ecosystem.

Examples of keystone plants on the East Coast of the United States include oaks (Quercus), willows (Salix), cherries (Prunus), birches (Betula), goldenrods (Solidago), and asters (Symphyotrichum). These plants all support a high diversity of life.

Can you spot the keystone connections in your own garden?

For more information, or to look up keystone species in your region, please click the button below.

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