ABSTRACT The influence of abiotic and biotic factors on the community-wide impact of keystone species is reviewed. Experiments have shown that environmental factors, such as microclimate, may alter the composition of the community by altering the morphology of the keystone species. Other environmental factors, such as wave action, can increase or decrease the impact of a keystone species on its community. Biotic factors, such as the composition of a community, may also determine whether or not a particular species will take on a keystone role. Other predators may negate the role of one predator as a keystone species, or influence the growth, survival, or impact of a keystone species. The roles of keystone species are often dependent on many abiotic and biotic features of the community and its environment. Therefore, in order to truly understand the role these species play in communities, it is imperative that these features are considered when studying keystone species and their communities.
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