The Relationship Between Water Quality and Keystone Species Loss in Lake Ecosystem

Abstract

Keystone species have a significant impact on the lake’s ecosystem, biodiversity management, and water quality. This review explores the complex interconnections between adverse water quality deterioration and loss of keystone species in lakes, with a focus on pollution, fragmentation and climate change. Nutrient pollution and eutrophication are the leading causes of poor water quality and have been a major cause of the decline of keystone species, for example, fish, amphibians and invertebrates that are important in controlling the trophic cascade and organising structural complexity of the habitat. The extinction of these species triggers a series of occurrences that worsen water quality, establishing a feedback loop that worsens problems with ecosystem health and solutions. The study also includes several keystone case studies on species restoration, water quality research, integrated management, and invasive species control measures that demonstrate habitat and community involvement. Long-term monitoring is required to assess the efficacy of climate-resilient techniques, restoration, and species interactions in responding to pressures. Given that climate change may exacerbate such pressures, it is critical to have management approaches and preventive measures in place, such as maintaining climate refugia and improving connectivity within aquatic ecosystems, as well as restoration and enhancement of keystone species in lakes. The findings underline the necessity for a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to managing freshwater ecosystems to retain keystone species and maintain ecological equilibrium in lakes.