Keystone Species
A keystone is the top stone in an arch that holds the entire structure together; therefore, a keystone species is a species that has a large positive influence in the environment. In the chaparral biome, the giant kangaroo rat is the keystone, but since it is endangered, the whole ecosystem suffers too.
Giant Kangaroo Rat
The giant kangaroo at is the largest of its species. They are nocturnal and live in burrows they dig. These burrows are the main reason why they are so important to the environment. They serve as homes for various animals like lizards and squirrels. Furthermore, kangaroo rats clip the grass near their burrows and create a pile of the clippings near the entrance which acts as a fertilizer to plants, which are more productive when they grow on the enriched soil. One of the plants that uses these piles are the endangered California jewelflowers.
The kangaroo rat plays many other critical roles in its environment, like being the main food source for the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and various other predators.
Unfortunately , the giant kangaroo rat is also an endangered species, so the whole ecosystem is in danger too. Help the giant kangaroo rats by donating money to our Chaparral Awareness Organization!
The kangaroo rat plays many other critical roles in its environment, like being the main food source for the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and various other predators.
Unfortunately , the giant kangaroo rat is also an endangered species, so the whole ecosystem is in danger too. Help the giant kangaroo rats by donating money to our Chaparral Awareness Organization!