A critical review of assumptions about the prairie dog as a keystone species

Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) have been labeled as keystone species because of their influence on biological diversity and ecosystem function. However, the validity of several assumptions used to support keystone status is questionable. We review the strength of the evidence and the magnitude of the prairie dog's effects on ecosystem structure and function. We use this review to reevaluate the keystone role for prairie dogs. Our goal is to encourage sound management of the prairie dog ecosystem by improving the ecological foundation of their keystone status. Our review confirms that prairie dogs affect a number of ecosystem-level functions but that their influence on prairie vertebrates may be less than previously...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation, Journal Citation; Tags: Cynomys spp., Environmental Management, Springer, biological diversity, ecosystem function, All tags... keystone species, prairie dogs, Fewer tags