Gray Wolf (Canis lupus): Wolves are apex predators that regulate prey populations like elk and deer, which in turn impacts vegetation and other species in ecosystems such as Yellowstone National Park.
American Bison (Bison bison): Bison are ecosystem engineers that historically shaped the Great Plains by grazing and creating habitats for other species, influencing plant diversity and soil health.
Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris): Sea otters are keystone predators in coastal kelp forests, controlling sea urchin populations that otherwise overgraze kelp beds, thus maintaining biodiversity in marine ecosystems.
Beaver (Castor canadensis): Beavers engineer wetland habitats by building dams and lodges, which create diverse aquatic ecosystems supporting fish, amphibians, birds, and other wildlife.
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis): Grizzlies are top predators in North American ecosystems, influencing prey behavior and vegetation dynamics, particularly in regions like Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies.
Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana): Pronghorn are important herbivores that shape grassland ecosystems by grazing, which affects plant communities and supports other species dependent on grasslands.
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus): As scavengers, California condors play a critical role in nutrient cycling and cleaning up carcasses, which benefits the health of their ecosystems in California and Arizona.
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis): Alligators are keystone species in southeastern U.S. wetlands, creating and maintaining aquatic habitats that support a diverse array of species, from fish to birds.
Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.): Salmon are vital to Pacific Northwest ecosystems, serving as nutrient vectors when they spawn and die, enriching freshwater and riparian habitats and supporting diverse wildlife.