ExploreTraitsEcology

Keystone Species

1,023 objects

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.

Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

PlantInsectMammalBirdReptileInvertebrate

Objects with this trait

Browse every object currently tagged with this trait.

10-spot Ladybird
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
10-spot Ladybird
16-spot Ladybird
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
16-spot Ladybird
24-spot Ladybird
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
24-spot Ladybird
Acacia
deciduous trait badgedrought_tolerant trait badgefragrant_flower trait badgegrassland trait badge
Acacia
Acorn Woodpecker
arboreal trait badgecolorful trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badge
Acorn Woodpecker
African Jacana
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badgeinsectivorous trait badge
African Jacana
African Lion
carnivorous trait badgefurry trait badgekeystone_species trait badgesavanna trait badge
African Lion
African Sacred Ibis
diurnal trait badgefeathered trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
African Sacred Ibis
African buffalo
diurnal trait badgefurry trait badgegiant trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
African buffalo
African clawless otter
carnivorous trait badgediurnal trait badgefurry trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
African clawless otter
African wild dog
carnivorous trait badgecolorful trait badgediurnal trait badgeendangered trait badge
African wild dog
Agarita
desert trait badgeedible trait badgeevergreen trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
Agarita
Agile Kangaroo Rat
burrowing trait badgedesert trait badgefurry trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Agile Kangaroo Rat
Agoutis
burrowing trait badgediurnal trait badgeforest trait badgefurry trait badge
Agoutis
Agromyza vockerothi
diurnal trait badgeherbivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badgeminiature trait badge
Agromyza vockerothi
Aleppo pine
coniferous trait badgedrought_tolerant trait badgeevergreen trait badgeforest trait badge
Aleppo pine
Alkali Heath
coastal trait badgedrought_tolerant trait badgeflowering trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Alkali Heath
Amblyteles armatorius
diurnal trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badgeminiature trait badge
Amblyteles armatorius
American Alligator
ambush_predator trait badgeancient_lineage trait badgecarnivorous trait badgefreshwater trait badge
American Alligator
American Avocet
coastal trait badgecolorful trait badgefeathered trait badgefilter_feeder trait badge
American Avocet
American Beaver
aquatic trait badgediurnal trait badgeendangered trait badgefreshwater trait badge
American Beaver
American Bumble Bee
diurnal trait badgefurry trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
American Bumble Bee
American Carpenter Ant
decomposer trait badgeforest trait badgegiant trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
American Carpenter Ant
American Carrion Beetle
carnivorous trait badgedecomposer trait badgeforest trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
American Carrion Beetle
American Crow
feathered trait badgeforest trait badgekeystone_species trait badgeomnivorous trait badge
American Crow
American Dipper
aquatic trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badgefreshwater trait badge
American Dipper
American Kestrel
aerial trait badgecarnivorous trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badge
American Kestrel
American Marten
arboreal trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecarnivorous trait badgeforest trait badge
American Marten
American Oystercatcher
carnivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badge
American Oystercatcher
American White Pelican
feathered trait badgefilter_feeder trait badgegliding trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
American White Pelican
American cancer-root
camouflaged trait badgeforest trait badgekeystone_species trait badgemedicinal trait badge
American cancer-root
American marram grass
coastal trait badgedrought_tolerant trait badgeevergreen trait badgegrasslike trait badge
American marram grass
American turkey oak
broadleaf_tree trait badgedeciduous trait badgeedible trait badgeforest trait badge
American turkey oak
Amphibia
camouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badgeendangered trait badgeinsectivorous trait badge
Amphibia
Amphiprion ocellaris
coastal trait badgecolorful trait badgediurnal trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Amphiprion ocellaris
Anaconda
ambush_predator trait badgecarnivorous trait badgefreshwater trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Anaconda
Andean Condor
aerial trait badgecarnivorous trait badgediurnal trait badge
Andean Condor
Anelaphus
camouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badgediurnal trait badgeforest trait badge
Anelaphus
Angelfish
ancient_lineage trait badgeaquatic trait badgecolorful trait badgefreshwater trait badge
Angelfish
Ankole-Watusi
domesticated trait badgefurry trait badgegiant trait badgegrassland trait badge
Ankole-Watusi
Antelope
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Antelope
Antelope Bitterbrush
deciduous trait badgedesert trait badgedrought_tolerant trait badgeedible trait badge
Antelope Bitterbrush
Antelopehorn Milkweed
drought_tolerant trait badgeflowering trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Antelopehorn Milkweed
Anthaxia podolica
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgeforest trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Anthaxia podolica
Anthopleura elegantissima
aquatic trait badgecarnivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgecolorful trait badge
Anthopleura elegantissima
Aphis
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgeherbivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Aphis
Aquatic Milkweed
aquatic trait badgedeciduous trait badgeedible trait badgeflowering trait badge
Aquatic Milkweed
Arachnida
ambush_predator trait badgecarnivorous trait badgedesert trait badgeforest trait badge
Arachnida
Arctic Lupine
cold_hardy trait badgeflowering trait badgefragrant_flower trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Arctic Lupine
Arroyo Willow
broadleaf_tree trait badgedeciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Arroyo Willow
Ashe juniper
aromatic trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badgeconiferous trait badgeedible trait badge
Ashe juniper
Asian Elephant
forest trait badgefurry trait badgegiant trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Asian Elephant
Asiatic lion
carnivorous trait badgeendangered trait badgefurry trait badgegrassland trait badge
Asiatic lion
Aspen Serpentine Leafminer Moth
diurnal trait badgeforest trait badgeherbivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Aspen Serpentine Leafminer Moth
Atelopus balios
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgeendangered trait badgeforest trait badge
Atelopus balios
Atlantic Puffin
coastal trait badgecolorful trait badgefeathered trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Atlantic Puffin
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
carnivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgecolorful trait badgeecholocation trait badge
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
Augochlorine Sweat Bees
diurnal trait badgefurry trait badgeherbivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Augochlorine Sweat Bees
Australian Shepherd
domesticated trait badgefurry trait badgekeystone_species trait badgeomnivorous trait badge
Australian Shepherd
Azara's Agouti
burrowing trait badgeforest trait badgefurry trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Azara's Agouti
Baboon
arboreal trait badgeforest trait badgefurry trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Baboon
Bahamian Racer
arboreal trait badgecarnivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgecolorful trait badge
Bahamian Racer
Bald Eagle
aerial trait badgecarnivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgediurnal trait badge
Bald Eagle
Bald-faced Hornet
forest trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badgepollinator trait badge
Bald-faced Hornet
Banteng
colorful trait badgeforest trait badgefurry trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Banteng
Bar-headed Goose
aerial trait badgeaquatic trait badgecolorful trait badgediurnal trait badge
Bar-headed Goose
Bar-tailed Godwit
aquatic trait badgecarnivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgediurnal trait badge
Bar-tailed Godwit
Bar-winged Skimmer
aerial trait badgecolorful trait badgediurnal trait badgefreshwater trait badge
Bar-winged Skimmer
Barbour's Map Turtle
aquatic trait badgediurnal trait badgeendangered trait badgefreshwater trait badge
Barbour's Map Turtle
Barnacle Goose
coastal trait badgecolorful trait badgefeathered trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Barnacle Goose
Beach Bean
coastal trait badgecolorful trait badgedrought_tolerant trait badgeedible trait badge
Beach Bean
Beach Croton
coastal trait badgecolorful trait badgeevergreen trait badgeflowering trait badge
Beach Croton
Beach Sheoak
coastal trait badgeconiferous trait badgeevergreen trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Beach Sheoak
Beach-creeper
coastal trait badgeevergreen trait badgeflowering trait badgegrasslike trait badge
Beach-creeper
Bearded Carpenter ant
decomposer trait badgeforest trait badgefurry trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Bearded Carpenter ant
Beavers
aquatic trait badgeforest trait badgefurry trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Beavers
Bee Balm
fragrant_flower trait badgekeystone_species trait badgemedicinal trait badgepollinator trait badge
Bee Balm
Bee Orchid
colorful trait badgeflowering trait badgefragrant_flower trait badgegrassland trait badge
Bee Orchid
Bee-mimic Robber Flies
aerial trait badgeambush_predator trait badgecarnivorous trait badgediurnal trait badge
Bee-mimic Robber Flies
Bellflower Resin Bee
diurnal trait badgefurry trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Bellflower Resin Bee
Beluga Whale
aquatic trait badgeecholocation trait badgefilter_feeder trait badgefurry trait badge
Beluga Whale
Bembix rostrata
carnivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgediurnal trait badgeinsectivorous trait badge
Bembix rostrata
Bent-flower Milkvetch
colorful trait badgedrought_tolerant trait badgeendangered trait badgeflowering trait badge
Bent-flower Milkvetch
Bicolored Carpenter Ant
colorful trait badgedecomposer trait badgediurnal trait badgeforest trait badge
Bicolored Carpenter Ant
Big Bluet
aerial trait badgeaquatic trait badgecolorful trait badgediurnal trait badge
Big Bluet
Big Sagebrush
aromatic trait badgedesert trait badgedrought_tolerant trait badgeevergreen trait badge
Big Sagebrush
Bigelow's sedge
cold_hardy trait badgedecomposer trait badgegrasslike trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Bigelow's sedge
Bighorn Sheep
furry trait badgeherbivorous trait badgehorned trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Bighorn Sheep
Birch Catkin Bug
camouflaged trait badgediurnal trait badgeforest trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Birch Catkin Bug
Bison
diurnal trait badgefurry trait badgegiant trait badgegrassland trait badge
Bison
Black Fire Beetle
diurnal trait badgeendangered trait badgeforest trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Black Fire Beetle
Black Flies
carnivorous trait badgediurnal trait badgefilter_feeder trait badgefreshwater trait badge
Black Flies
Black Fly
freshwater trait badgekeystone_species trait badgenocturnal trait badgeparasitic trait badge
Black Fly
Black Mamba
arboreal trait badgecarnivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badgenocturnal trait badge
Black Mamba
Black Oystercatcher
camouflaged trait badgecarnivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgediurnal trait badge
Black Oystercatcher
Black Pine Sawyer Beetle
colorful trait badgedecomposer trait badgeforest trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Black Pine Sawyer Beetle
Black Tern
aerial trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Black Tern
Black Widow
carnivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badgesolitary trait badgethreatened trait badge
Black Widow
Black Woodpecker
arboreal trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badgeforest trait badge
Black Woodpecker
Black-and-gold Bumble Bee
diurnal trait badgefurry trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Black-and-gold Bumble Bee
Black-chinned Hummingbird
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-legged Kittiwake
aerial trait badgecoastal trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badge
Black-legged Kittiwake
Black-rumped agouti
forest trait badgefurry trait badgeherbivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Black-rumped agouti
Black-tailed Bumble Bee
diurnal trait badgefurry trait badgeherbivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Black-tailed Bumble Bee
Blackberry Knot Gall Wasp
forest trait badgeherbivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badgeminiature trait badge
Blackberry Knot Gall Wasp
Blacktip Reef Shark
aquatic trait badgecarnivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badgemarine trait badge
Blacktip Reef Shark
Blaesodiplosis
diurnal trait badgeforest trait badgeherbivorous trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Blaesodiplosis
Blue Fungus Beetle
colorful trait badgedecomposer trait badgeforest trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Blue Fungus Beetle
Blue Jay
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgefeathered trait badgeforest trait badge
Blue Jay
Blue Orchard Bee
colorful trait badgediurnal trait badgefurry trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Blue Orchard Bee
Blue Whale
aquatic trait badgefilter_feeder trait badgefurry trait badgegiant trait badge
Blue Whale
Bluespine unicornfish
coastal trait badgecolorful trait badgediurnal trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Bluespine unicornfish
Bobcat
arboreal trait badgecarnivorous trait badgeforest trait badgefurry trait badge
Bobcat
Bog Bulrush
drought_tolerant trait badgeflowering trait badgegrasslike trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Bog Bulrush
Bog turtle
colorful trait badgeendangered trait badgehibernating trait badgeinsectivorous trait badge
Bog turtle
Bogbean
cluster_flower trait badgeedible trait badgeflowering trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
Bogbean
Bolitophila
decomposer trait badgeforest trait badgeglowing trait badgekeystone_species trait badge
Bolitophila