What is a keystone species, and why do they matter?

They are the lynchpin of ecosystems – species that maintain balance and support biodiversity – without which the food web is transformed or could even collapse.

Keystone Species: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

Acadia's North American Beaver: The Ultimate Keystone Species (U.S. National Park Service)

Quick and Dirty Guide to Bison as Keystone Species

Much more than 'Eager': Beavers' survival is linked with our own, argues environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb

Keystone Species: Definition, types and significance

Ecosystem Engineers, Keystone Species

What are Keystone species? Different types of keystone Species with examples

7 Keystone Species — and Why they Matter for Our Planet

A Keystone Of The Sonoran Desert: Why Old Saguaros Matter

Keystone species are organisms that are ecologically crucial for their native ecosystem. Here's some artworks about them (+1 bonus animal) made by Jeroen Helmer for Rewilding Europe : r/megafaunarewilding

Why do bison matter? Learn more about why they are keystone species., Farm posted on the topic

Keystone species - Wikipedia

The Importance of Wolves