Functional Ecology and Ecosystem-Level Significance of Keystone Species in the Tropical Ecosystems of Alirajpur District, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Keystone species are organisms whose ecological influence far exceeds their relative abundance, shaping ecosystem structure, function, and biodiversity maintenance. The tropical dry deciduous forests of Alirajpur district, Madhya Pradesh, constitute a biologically rich yet ecologically vulnerable landscape. This study investigates the functional ecology and ecosystem-level significance of selected keystone species using field surveys, trophic interaction analysis, and ecosystem service assessment. Structural keystone flora such as Ficus benghalensis, Borassus flabellifer, Tectona grandis, and Butea monosperma, along with faunal regulators including Panthera pardus, Panthera tigris, Axis axis, Apis dorsata, and selected avifauna were identified as central ecological drivers. These species influence trophic cascade regulation, pollination networks, seed dispersal, habitat heterogeneity, nutrient cycling, and socio-ecological sustainability. Hypothetical removal scenarios indicate substantial biodiversity decline, reduced ecosystem productivity, and destabilized food web structures. Conservation strategies focusing on keystone taxa, habitat connectivity, pollinator protection, and community-based forest governance are critical for sustaining ecological resilience. These findings highlight the interdependence of ecological stability and local human livelihoods, reinforcing the need for integrated conservation planning.