keystone species

"Sea otters are vital to aquatic ecosystems, keeping the population of urchins in check so the kelp that houses so much life can flourish. Uncover the truth about this important keystone species, explore how sea otters shape entire ecosystems, and learn what's at risk if these hungry swimmers were to disappear"--Provided by publisher.

"Wolves are vital to their ecosystems, controlling the size of prey populations so all life can flourish. Uncover the truth about this important keystone species, explore how wolves shape entire ecosystems, and learn what's at risk if these powerful predators disappear"--Provided by publisher.

"Learn about giraffes' physical characteristics, habitats, and life cycles; examine the dangers they face from humans and climate change; and meet the scientists working to save these gentle giants using technology and conservation efforts"--Amazon.

Illustrations and text introduce readers to the gopher tortoise and explains how hundreds of species rely on it for survival in the southeastern corner of the United States.

"From slowing wildfires to planting seeds, one animal is the true superhero that keeps the African savanna in balance. Elephants dig to find salt that other animals lick, their deep footprints collect water for small creatures to drink, and they eat young trees to keep the forest from overtaking the grasslands. In every season, the elephants are there to protect the savanna and its residents--but what would happen if the elephants were only "once upon a time"? Read along to discover the important role this keystone species plays in the savanna and explore what would happen if the elephants vanished"--Provided by publisher.

Discusses the importance of animal and plant species such as the tiger shark, sea otter, Antarctic krill, red mangrove and ocher sea star are essential to marine ecosytems, how their reduced numbers affect the entire food chain, and what is being done to save them.

Discusses the importance of animal and plant species such as the snow leopard, red-naped sapsucker, gray wolf, mountain tapir, and whitebark pine are essential to mountain ecosytems, how their reduced numbers affect the entire food chain, and what is being done to save them.

Discusses the importance of animal and plant species such as the American alligator, freshwater crayfish, North American beaver, Eastern newt, and Chinook salmon are essential to freshwater ecosytems, how their reduced numbers affect the entire food chain, and what is being done to save them.

Discusses the importance of animal species such as bison, lemmings, southern white rhinos, honey bees, and black-tailed prairie dogs are essential to grassland ecosytems, how their reduced numbers affect the entire food chain, and what is being done to save them.

Discusses the importance of animal species such as the ring-tailed lemur, coast redwood, white-tailed deer, the strangler fig tree, the Indian flying fox and vampire bat are essential to forest ecosytems, how their reduced numbers affect the entire food chain, and what is being done to save them.