Several keystone species help maintain tropical rainforest ecosystems:
- Strangler Figs: Provide habitat and food for birds, monkeys, and insects.
- Leaf-Cutter Ants: Recycle nutrients, aerate soil, and disperse seeds.
- Pollinating Bats: Transfer pollen between plants while feeding on fruit and nectar.
- Large Predators: Jaguars and harpy eagles control herbivore populations and maintain food web balance.
- Mycorrhizal Fungi: Help plants absorb nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.
- Termites: Decompose organic matter and improve soil aeration and moisture retention.
- Large Herbivores: Elephants, tapirs, and peccaries disperse seeds across the forest.
- Social Insects: Ants and termites build colonies that serve as habitats for other species.
These species are interconnected and essential for rainforest health and stability.