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A keystone species is a species which has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. Such species are described as playing a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, influencing the types and numbers of various other species in the community.

Keystone species, through their activities and relationships, help to maintain the variety and numbers of other species in the environment. By their absence, other species may overpopulate and alter the ecosystem, or certain species could decline and potentially become extinct without their interactions with the keystone species.

Potential effects of the removal of a keystone species could include: 1. Change in biodiversity: With the removal of the keystone species, some species may proliferate, while others may reduce in number or even become extinct. This ultimately affects the biodiversity of the ecosystem. 2. Disruption of ecological balance: The keystone species often contribute to the maintenance of the ecological balance. Therefore, their removal could cause the ecosystem to become unbalanced. 3. Habit change: Keystone species often engineer their habitats. If removed, these habitats could deteriorate or disappear completely, affecting all species within that habitat. 4. Alteration of food chains: Keystone species often play key roles in food chains. Removal of these species could disrupt food chains, leading to unpredictable knock-on effects.