Author
Home > Science > What is the Difference Between Umbrella Species and Keystone Species?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Umbrella Species and Keystone Species?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between umbrella species and keystone species lies in their roles within an ecosystem and their impact on other species. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

  • Umbrella Species: These are species that have large territories, and their protection leads to the improved survival of other species that depend on their habitat. By conserving the habitat of an umbrella species, many other species are indirectly protected.
  • Keystone Species: These are species that regulate the ecosystem and play a unique and crucial role in their environment. They have low functional redundancy, meaning that if they were to disappear, no other species could fill their ecological niche, leading to significant changes in the ecosystem.

Both umbrella and keystone species are essential for the existence of their ecosystems, and they play key roles in the conservation of other species. However, the key difference is that umbrella species make conservation decisions easier since their conservation indirectly protects other species, while keystone species directly regulate and have a significant impact on their ecosystem.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Umbrella Species and Keystone Species?
  • Comparative Table: Umbrella Species vs Keystone Species

    • Comparative Table: Umbrella Species vs Keystone Species

    Here is a table comparing the differences between umbrella species and keystone species:

    Feature Umbrella Species Keystone Species
    Definition Umbrella species are animals that have large territories, and when they are under protection, their habitat improves, leading to improved survival of other species that depend on their habitat. Keystone species are species that play a unique and crucial role in their environment, and their presence or absence has a significant impact on the overall ecosystem.
    Role in Conservation Umbrella species are used as a conservation tool to protect a wide range of species. Their protection indirectly protects other species that depend on their habitat. Keystone species directly affect the ecosystem, and their removal or addition can cause significant changes in the ecosystem.
    Examples Large migratory animals, such as polar bears and sea turtles, are often considered umbrella species because protecting their habitats can contribute to the protection of many other species. Examples of keystone species include the gray wolf in North America's Yellowstone National Park, which controls elk populations and creates a cascade effect on vegetation, and the sea star in tide pools, which controls mussel populations and prevents monocultures.
    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.