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Extinction
‘Extinction is forever’ is a phrase we often hear when discussing conservation. Extinction of the elephant, or of a beetle, may not have the same impact on an ecosystem, but both will have AN IMPACT. Although extinction is a natural process that has happened since the beginning of life on earth, the current rate of extinction due to humans is very unnatural. The road to extinction for a species can be slow, something that happens over a long period of time or quick, such as what happened with the dinosaurs. The role a species plays in its ecosystem also affects the possible road to extinction. Species 
that have an extra important role in maintaining the equilibrium of a system may be considered a keystone species in which a change in their numbers can positively or negatively affect the whole system by changing its composition and structure. Extinction of keystone species can lead to a loss of many other organisms that depend on that species for food, shelter or protection. Maintaining biodiversity can help prevent the loss of these keystone species keeping ecosystems in balance and functioning properly.
Learn more about keystone species my clicking on the links below:
The Timberline Survivor
High upon the mountaintops of Crater Lake National Park, there is a tree that can withstand the harsh environment of life above snowline. The Whitebark pine stands tall and alone, dominant in a habitat where normally only meadow species and sparse vegetation survive. Whitebark pines are considered a keystone species, which means that many other plants and animals in its community depend on it as 
important habitat. It is able to continue to grow on the highest peaks because of its intimate relationship with a bird called the Clark’s Nutcracker.
The Clark’s nutcracker is the only known species, in this region, that can access the seeds on the cones of the Whitebark pine. Once it opens the cones and gets the seeds, it will bury them in the ground to eat later. The seeds that are forgotten about grow into new trees assuring the continued reproduction of the Whitebark pine. Unfortunately, the number of Whitebark pines are decreasing due to lack of fire, global warming, and the introduction of a fungal disease called white pine blister rust.
Currently biologists at Crater Lake are working with the Forest Service to maintain the Whitebark pine ecosystem. They are taking seeds from healthy pines and growing them in a controlled environment to find trees that are resistant to white pine blister rust. The park staff will also continue to closely monitor current populations and track any changes. If this keystone species continues to decline we will begin to see the effect on many members of its community, putting the whole ecosystem in jeopardy.
Magnificent Giants
The coast of northern California is famous for its fog. It often gets so thick that during a trip to a coastal forest you might not be able to see more than a foot in front of you
. Amongst that dense fog you are likely to see the tallest trees in the world, the majestic Redwoods. This keystone species plays an important role in a fog forest by providing water and habitat to plants and animals in its community.
Redwood trees have the unique ability to comb moisture from the dense fog, condensing it on their needles producing water droplets that serve as the only water source for many plants during the dry summer months. The spectacular trees of Redwood National and State Parks not only provide an important water source for the entire ecosystem they live in, but their complex branch structure creates a living tree house with endless rooms and platforms to explore. Other trees such as Douglas-fir, Sitka Spruce, and Western Hemlock, grow off of redwood trees wrapping their roots around the trunk of the tree for support. The tops of the trees, called crowns, are so complex you can’t tell the difference between the original redwood tree and all the other trees growing on it. Fallen needles from redwoods collect on large branches and break down providing rich soil for plant communities high in the canopy. Redwood trees also provide important habitat for many animal species including the endangered marbled murrelets, the northern spotted
owl, fishers and other mammals.
The number of ancient redwood trees has been greatly reduced due to historic logging practices. With the establishment of Redwood National and State Parks, more attention has been drawn to this keystone species in hopes that redwood forests will remain intact for many years to come. Continued protection of these beauties assures protection of entire communities which depend on the exceptional redwood.
Crater Lake NP | Oregon Caves NM | Redwood NP | Lassen Volcanic NP
Whiskeytown NRA | Lava Beds NM | NPS Klamath Network | SOU Home
An Outreach and Education Project made possible by the National Park Service, Klamath Network Inventory and Monitoring and Southern Oregon University
