Are humans a keystone species?

A keystone species is a group of living organisms that have a dramatic effect on the overall ecosystem (often disproportionate to their relative population size). I don't believe that it could be argued that humans do not have such an effect. read more

Humans are most definitely not a keystone species. The removal of our species may determine the dramatic shift of an ecosystem, which is the partial definition of a keystone species, but we are most certainly not a species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community. read more

If we’re talking about a rural setting, say in the prairies of South Dakota, humans probably are more of a keystone species, while if we’re talking about New York City, humans would be what I understand to be a dominant species. read more