Today I am going to tell you the importance of a Keystone species. What is a Keystone species? Just like the keystone in an arch, without this species in an ecosystem there will be a dramatic change or shift. Its size whether it is too small or too big doesn’t matter.
The desert ecosystem in Peru was once rich with Huarango (Prosopis pallida) a leguminous hardwood that has played a fundamental role in local livelihoods for at least 5,000 years. Environmental scientists around the world consider this tree as a ‘wonder in desert’. These trees help to retain the atmospheric moisture and enhance the soil fertility of that area through nitrogen fixation.
Now this keystone species is facing vigorous deforestation. The wood of this tree is used as a very good source of charcoal production. One Kilogram of charcoal made from this tree cost around one dollar. It is very easy for the people to cut down the huge trunks of trees, but once this species is lost, this will be a huge loss for the whole world.
Click here for a BBC news.
Prepared by: Dr. Akhila S. Nair
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