Conservation and Biodiversity
Beyond the Bees: 6 Keystone Species That Deserve the Spotlight
July 15, 2025
Today is National Gummy Worm Day. Who knew? Though a tasty treat in their own right, gummy worms take inspiration from a real-life organism that is serially underappreciated. Bees are great and deserve our love and appreciation, but earthworms really should steal the spotlight when it comes to keystone species. On this National Gummy Worm Day, we at EARTHDAY.ORG want to give some other key pollinators, predators, and producers the praise that they deserve for keeping our ecosystems afloat (yes, earthworms included).
The Humble Earthworm Makes Life On Earth Possible
The plough is one of the most ancient and most valuable of man’s inventions; but long before he existed the land was in fact regularly ploughed, and still continues to be thus ploughed by earth-worms.
Charles Darwin
Despite their humble reputation, earthworms are quite the superstars when it comes to supporting the ecosystems they inhabit and playing a critically important role in all of our lives, even if we don’t realize it! Put simply, humans and most other terrestrial ecosystems would struggle to survive without earthworms.
As decomposers, earthworms play an essential role in keeping soil rich with nutrients. Commenting on this role, ecologist Dr Ailidh Barnes stated, “Earthworms are vital at looking after the soil, which is the basis of all life and what grows our food.”
Burrowing through the ground, the humble earthworm aerates our topsoil as it tunnels around, which improves oxygen flow and is vital for maintaining soil health, fertility, water infiltration, and supporting positive microbial activity. Considering that 95% of all plant growth takes place in topsoil, it’s pretty clear that earthworms rock.
Earthworm numbers are in decline. Globally, the average decline is estimated to be less than 5%, but in some countries, they have seen losses of more than 50% of their earthworm populations. One of their big killers is pesticide exposure, so opt for organic or regeneratively farmed fruit and vegetables where you can.
Otters: Nature’s Caretakers of Kelp Forests
Turning to a completely different environment, we have the sea otter. Sea otters may seem in no way similar to earthworms, but their ecological role is just as crucial. These furry critters keep kelp forests going strong simply by stuffing themselves.
Here’s how: otters maintain balance in the ocean’s kelp forests by preying on sea urchins, preventing these spiny grazers from overrunning kelp forests. Without otters, urchin populations explode and can strip entire reefs bare, turning vibrant kelp forests into “urchin barrens” where little else survives.
By keeping urchin numbers in check, otters allow kelp forests to thrive, which is good as these marine forests provide food, shelter, and nursery grounds for countless other marine species, supporting fisheries, and even helping fight climate change by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. In this way, every urchin an otter eats helps keep the ocean healthy for us all.
In regions such as the coast of Oregon, otters are sorely missed as it has resulted in an explosion in the urchin populations, threatening zooplankton and gray whale populations in the area.
Hummingbirds are Pollinators Too
Everybody knows how important bees are at this point. They don’t just buzz around for fun—they’re the VIPs of pollination, responsible for one in every three bites of food you eat. Without them, your salad, smoothie, and even your morning coffee would be seriously underwhelming if not non-existent. But what about other pollinators?
Hummingbirds, although you may not hear about them as frequently, perform a very similar role to honey bees. In certain ecosystems, such as the woody grassland of Patagonia, in South America, many plants can only be pollinated by these feathery go-getters.
In fact, the green-backed firecrown, a species of hummingbird, is responsible for 20% of all plant pollination in these ecosystems.
We Love Sharks
Sharks are much more than movies like Jaws or The Meg will have you believe. Despite their intimidating reputation, sharks are responsible for the upkeep of many marine ecosystems. In many cases, it is actually this fear-striking quality that allows them to support their watery homes.
Larger species, such as tiger or great white sharks, maintain seagrass populations by preying on or simply scaring away anything that would threaten to overgraze these underwater meadows. The migratory nature of these sharks also means that they feed offshore and transport nutrients back into reef ecosystems, helping them flourish.
These predatory habits also keep fish populations healthy by removing the sick and weak, which helps prevent disease and keeps food webs in balance. Without sharks, entire ocean ecosystems would become unbalanced, putting many other species at risk. So, be pro-shark! Avoid shark fin soup and any shark skin products.
Coral & Carbon Connection
Speaking of ocean health, corals serve as the backbone of our warm ocean ecosystems, with their structure providing protection to the vast diversity of fish and organisms that live among them.
Coral reefs are often referred to as the “rainforest of the sea” due to their high rates of biodiversity. Reefs may only cover less than 1% of the ocean, but they host nearly 25% of all ocean species.
In addition to the home that they offer to so many different kinds of ocean life, coral reefs contribute to carbon absorption. While reefs themselves are not net absorbers of CO2, their place in broader marine ecosystems, supporting carbon-sequestering seagrass meadows and mangroves, makes them essential components in creating and sustaining natural carbon sinks.
Fabulous Food from the Fig Tree
Fruiting year-round, fig trees provide a stable and abundant supply of food to the organisms around them when little else is available. Just this one tree sustains many species, including bats, rodents, lizards, monkeys, birds, tortoises, and even fish.
The popularity of figs in the animal kingdom is truly unrivaled, with 1,274 bird and mammal species consuming figs, making it the most relied upon fruit globally. Due to this reliance on the fig and the plant’s ability to fit into a diverse array of ecosystems, biologists such as Rhett Harrison have argued that fig trees are some of the most essential components of rainforest ecosystems.
A Celebration of All Animals – Gummy Too
So as you celebrate National Gummy Worm Day (or maybe not – but trust me, it is a real holiday), take some time to appreciate the real ecological heroes that inspire your snacks, after all, we wouldn’t be here without them. From the soil-turning earthworms under your feet to fearsome great whites patrolling our oceans, these overlooked organisms are working day and night to keep this world turning as we know it.
If you feel inclined to give back to the animal kingdom, consider joining our campaign to relocate Wikie and Keijo, a pair of captive orcas held in deteriorating conditions of confinement in the South of France.
However, if something a bit more lighthearted is what you’re looking for, check out our animal quizzes and discover your true spirit animal.
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