Question

6. Discuss the following: Is protection of foundation species sufficient to safeguard a community from extinction?

Answer 1

The species which play a strong role in the structuring of community is called the foundation species.These species create complex habitats in which correlated organisms find shelter from biological and physical stress leading to their sustenance.Foundation species are often primary producers. Some examples of sustaining services provided by foundation species are timber production, carbon sequestration, and water filtration. Taking into account the strong link between the foundation species and the sustenance of the biodiversity, the protection of foundation species should be sufficient enough to safeguard a community from extinction. The above statement can also be validated by the fact that recent conservation strategies have made protection of foundation species their prime concern.

I will further elaborate with the help of following examples. For instance, in coastal soft-sediment habitats, the sea grass (Thalassia testudinum) form an extensive bed that leads to the reduction of water flow, facilitating the settlement of benthic invertebrates and increasing their chances of survival against the mobile predators and also, providing an opportunity for the prey species to diversify. Another example of foundation species in marine ecology is the red mangrove (Rizhopora mangle) which forms a root network in the coastal region. The root network provides nourishing environment to various species of snappers, grunts, barracuda, and fishes and protects these species from predators. If the foundation species discussed above are harmed, the associated species will be directly influenced leading to their loss. However, on the other hand, if the foundation species is protected and maintained the other dependent species will be also sustained and will diversify.