What Are Keystone Species?

"For want of a nail, the shoe was lost." We've all heard that story. Big things are made of small things, and global ecosystems rely on tiny pollinators like bees. Bees pollinate most of the world's flowering plants. Without them, many food chains would collapse-and so would many human industries. This book is designed to show youngsters the concept of keystone species. It introduces the different types of bees and explains their indispensable role in our world. Beautiful color photos explore the world of bees and fun fact boxes explain important concepts.

The notion of the "big, bad wolf" has done a lot of damage to our planet. Wolves are keystone predators. Their absence from the ecosystem has devasting consequences for humans and animals alike. Their presence ensures a vast variety of plant and animal life. This book explains what a keystone species is and why they're so important. It also breaks down the concept of trophic cascade using familiar species. Stunning full color pictures depict wolves and their habitat. Fun fact boxes and age-appropriate vocabulary make learning about our natural world fun.

Our natural world is increasingly fragile. Now more than ever, it's important to learn about keystone species-those species whose removal can topple entire ecosystems. Beavers create and maintain their own habitat. They alter the landscape to suit themselves, thereby providing homes for a myriad of other plants and animals. This book introduces kids to the concept of keystone species and describes beavers' important role in their habitat. Simple text, full-color photographs, and fascinating fact boxes help kids understand beavers, their wetland habitat, and all the other creatures that share their ecosystem.

Beautiful, majestic elephants are probably the most easily recognizable animal on the planet. African bush elephants are critically important to their habitat. Many other species on the savanna-from small rodents all the way to apex predators-depend on their actions to maintain their shared habitat. Unfortunately, elephants are endangered. This book introduced kids to the concept of keystone species and explains why so much depends on the continued survival of African bush elephants. Beautiful full color photos depict life on the savanna and interesting fact boxes break down big concepts. The vocabulary is carefully chosen for young learners.

Sea stars were the basis of Dr. Robert Pain's groundbreaking experiment to explore his theory of keystone species. Who'd have thought that an insignificant tidal pool invertebrate could have such an impact on its environment? This book breaks down the concept of keystone species and sea stars' role in their habitat for young readers. Beautiful full color photos bring the world of the tidal pool to life. Fascinating fact boxes break down important ideas. Age-appropriate vocabulary and a glossary make learning enjoyable.

Everyone loves to watch playful sea otters frolicking in coastal waters. But did you know that the kelp forests where they live depend on otters for their survival? Otters are a keystone predator. They prey on sea urchins that would otherwise destroy the habitat that shelters so many other species. This book explains the concept of keystone species in easy-to-understand language. Beautiful full color photographs introduce the watery world of the kelp forests and fun fact boxes break down complex ideas.