Subject: Keystone and Keynote
Date: Jan 11 21:21:37 2002
From: JLRosso at aol.com - JLRosso at aol.com


I am trying to determine if there are two separate terms: keystone and
keynote. A keystone species is one that if it were removed from a habitat the
habitat would experience a strong change. The Alligator in the Everglades is
mentioned as an example of a keystone.
I remember keynote species as being a species that represents the health of a
particular habitat. I think of Common Yellowthroats as being a keynote
species of a marsh habitat. Surfgrass is defined as a keynote species because
it plays a strong role and is sensitive to change.
(http://www.ocnms.nos.noaa.gov/LivingSanctuary/plants/surfgrass.html) Are
keynote and keystone the same?
Can anybody mention a good reference that I can go to?

Thanks

Jim Rosso
Sammamish
jlrosso at aol.com