cornerstone species

USAGE SUMMARY

'cornerstone species' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the species in an ecosystem that play a key role in maintaining its overall structure and balance. For example, the grizzly bear is a cornerstone species of the Yellowstone ecosystem.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Cornerstone species, such as those comprising the tree overstorey, are essential as a seed source for regeneration and for microclimate amelioration, soil erosion prevention and habitat provision in woodland ecosystems.

Biological Conservation

Builders then did not think through the dense ecological web that nature had devised around the tens of millions of salmon — suddenly blocked from their inland spawning routes — that had over millenniums become a cornerstone species for everything from bears to birds.

The New York Times

Forestry England's Alan Eves said: "Today's landmark occasion sees the introduction of a cornerstone species that has been absent from our landscape for over 300 years.

BBC

Loblolly pine (LP; Pinus taeda L). is the most economically important tree in the U.S. and a cornerstone species in southeastern forests.

Plosone

Oaks are cornerstone species with a fundamental role in temperate forest ecosystems.

BMC Genomics

Chinook salmon is a cornerstone species with key economic and ecological impacts throughout the North Pacific Ocean and its freshwater drainages.

Evolutionary Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Some of these challenges are being addressed in Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, providing hope that this cornerstone extractive species will continue to play a prominent role in the ecological and economic landscape of Amazonia.

Biological Conservation

... everywhere else where they have been introduced, by us, (and that would be everywhere outside of modern day Spain) they have become a cornerstone prey species for many of the world's predators". Sorry.

BBC

True, a disaster in Australia but everywhere else where they have been introduced, by us, (and that would be everywhere outside of modern day Spain) they have become a cornerstone prey species for many of the world's predators.

BBC

Later zoologists identified it as an Asian elephant, and since then the fetus has stood as a cornerstone of that species' taxonomy.

The New York Times - Science

In both cases, the goal should be to make sure the sea retains plenty of "BOFFs," an acronym used by marine conservationist Carl Safina and Jane Lubchenco, the former administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to describe the "big old fat females" that are huge egg producers and the cornerstone of healthy marine species populations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about ecology or conservation, use "cornerstone species" to denote species that fundamentally shape their ecosystems.

Common error

Avoid using "cornerstone species" interchangeably with just any species in an ecosystem. This term specifically refers to those species that have a disproportionately large impact relative to their abundance. Make sure to differentiate it from the broader term "keystone species".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cornerstone species" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a species with a critical and foundational role within its ecosystem. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable. It names entities that are essential for maintaining ecological balance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

27%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cornerstone species" is a scientifically recognized term denoting a species that plays a critical, foundational role in its ecosystem. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability, highlighting its prevalence in scientific and conservation contexts. While similar to the term "keystone species", it often refers to species that provide essential resources or habitat structure. Use this term to emphasize the indispensable role certain species play in maintaining ecological health and biodiversity. When discussing the term, it’s also useful to know its definition and the difference with other ecological relevant terms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keystone species

Replaces "cornerstone" with "keystone", another term for a species crucial to its ecosystem; nearly synonymous.

foundation species

Similar to cornerstone, highlighting its role as a base.

ecologically vital species

Emphasizes the ecological importance of the species.

ecologically significant species

Highlights how much ecological significance has the species.

essential species

Highlights that the species is essential or indispensable.

indispensable species

Focuses on the characteristic that the species cannot be replaced.

critical species

Emphasizes how critical the species is.

pivotal species

Highlights the species' pivotal role in an environment.

key species

A more concise way of saying "essential species".

vital species

A shorter version of "ecologically vital species".

FAQs

How is a "cornerstone species" different from a keystone species?

While both terms describe important species, a "keystone species" has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. "Cornerstone species" often refers to species that provide essential resources or habitat structure.

Can a species be both a "cornerstone species" and a keystone species?

Yes, a species can fulfill both roles if it significantly structures the habitat and has a disproportionately large impact on the ecosystem.

What are some examples of "cornerstone species"?

Examples include certain tree species in forests that provide habitat and resources, or salmon, which support numerous predators and nutrient cycles.

Why is it important to identify and protect "cornerstone species"?

Protecting "cornerstone species" is essential for maintaining ecosystem health, biodiversity, and resilience. Their loss can lead to cascading effects throughout the entire food web.