How does an organism's role as a keystone species typically impact its ecosystem?

A keystone species plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and health of its ecosystem. This species has a disproportionately large influence on the environment relative to its abundance. For example, the presence or absence of a keystone species can lead to significant changes in species composition and ecosystem dynamics.

These organisms typically help regulate populations of other species, ensure biodiversity, and maintain the various ecological processes that sustain life within their habitats. They can affect everything from the availability of food resources to habitat structure, thereby fostering a balanced and healthy ecosystem. The loss of a keystone species can result in dramatic shifts that may lead to reduced biodiversity and weakened ecological resilience, highlighting their crucial significance in ecosystem functioning.