Understanding what it means to be a ‘beneficial keystone species’.

At New Foundation Farms we often state that our intention is to help humanity rediscover our role as a beneficial keystone species within the ecosystems that support us but what exactly do we mean by this?

A keystone species is an organism that plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, often exerting a disproportionately large influence on the structure, function, or diversity of that ecosystem. Keystone species are typically not the most abundant species in their habitat, but they have a significant impact on the ecosystem's health and balance.

A beneficial keystone species specifically refers to a keystone species whose presence or activities result in positive effects on the ecosystem.

They contribute to the overall well-being and stability of the environment they inhabit. Their actions might enhance biodiversity, improve ecosystem function, or even provide direct benefits to other species within the ecosystem.

Roe deer are one of the two original native species of deer in the UK

Defining a keystone species using British deer as an example.

In some environments, bees are considered beneficial keystone species. Bees pollinate a vast number of plants, playing a critical role in the reproduction of many flowering plants and crops, thus contributing to the health and diversity of ecosystems and providing essential services for agriculture.

Another example could be certain predators that help regulate prey populations, preventing overgrazing or overpopulation that could otherwise disrupt the balance of the ecosystem, a great example of this is how humans act as apex predators for the population of deer in the UK, consuming venison can be considered the action of a beneficial keystone species but how did this come about?

The British countryside is home to six species of deer, each with its own unique history of arrival and establishment. Among them, the red deer and roe deer stand as the only truly indigenous species, having inhabited these lands for centuries. The fallow deer, on the other hand, trace their roots to an almost certain introduction by the Normans.

Muntjac - one of the asian deer introduced to the UK by wealthy landowners

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wealthy estate owners in the UK were known to introduce exotic species, including various Asian deer, to their estates as a display of wealth, status, and sometimes for hunting purposes. Among these deer, species like the Reeves' muntjac, Chinese water deer, and sika deer were brought into the UK from Asia.

The Reeves' muntjac, a small deer native to East Asia, was one such species introduced primarily for ornamental purposes. These deer were favored for their small size, distinctive appearance, and adaptability to different habitats, making them a curious addition to the estates' fauna.

Chinese water deer, notable for their unique tusks and preference for wetland habitats, were also introduced by estate owners. Their unusual appearance made them an exotic attraction, and they were often kept for their aesthetic appeal on private estates.

Sika deer, originating from East Asia, were introduced for both ornamental purposes and as game animals for hunting. Their adaptability to various habitats and their value as a game species made them a popular choice among estate owners keen on hosting hunting activities.

These introductions were often driven by the desire of wealthy estate owners to create diverse and picturesque landscapes on their properties. However, the unintended consequences of introducing non-native species, such as potential ecological impacts and interactions with native wildlife, have been subjects of concern and study in conservation and wildlife management circles. The presence of these introduced species, although initially for ornamental or recreational purposes, has shaped the biodiversity of the UK's ecosystems in unforeseen ways.

A system out of balance

The UK historically had apex predators like wolves, lynx, and bears. However, the presence of these apex predators significantly declined over several centuries, and they were largely extinct by the middle of the 17th century.

Current and potential deer distributions. Maps show predictions for both the current distribution, accounting for anthropogenic and geographic factors that might prevent presence (red), and potential expansion based on environmental factors alone ignoring any limitations on dispersal (orange) for each of the six deer species in GB. Within each map, we highlight locations where predictions are uncertain either because conditions are beyond that experienced by the species (and so it unknowable how they will respond) or predictions are not validated by the corresponding BDS survey map (inset) and therefore require further investigation

Wolves were among the most notable apex predators in the UK. They once roamed various parts of the country but were systematically hunted and eradicated due to fears regarding their impact on livestock and human safety. The last wolf in Scotland was reportedly killed in the late 17th century, marking their extinction in this region. The UK is now one of very few countries in Europe which does not have wolves. Some European countries have since the 1970s and 80s made a deliberate decision to reintroduce wolves and have therefore had to compensate farmers for loss of livestock due to wolf attack. Europe as of 2018 – excluding Russia, Belarus and Ukraine – has 17,000 wolves in over 28 countries. Lynx, another apex predator, faced a similar fate. They were hunted to extinction in the UK by around the 17th century due to perceived threats to livestock and game animals.

Bears, while present in the UK thousands of years ago, also saw a decline in their population due to hunting and habitat loss. They became extinct in the wild in the 10th century and were eventually eradicated from the entire country.

For the new population of exotic deer that managed to escape from country estates, this lack of things that want to eat them with teeth and claws was a good thing, a really really good thing, their numbers increased dramatically

Estimate suggest the total number of deer in the UK imn 2023 to be somewhere close to 2 million and as you can see form the maps right they have been successful across most of the UK but slightly concentrated in Scotland.

Deer populations can increase rapidly, especially in environments with abundant resources and minimal threats. However, as the population grows, density-dependent factors such as food scarcity and reduced body condition can slow this growth. To maintain a stable population of deer in the UK, humans, taking the role of an apex predator need to cull a huge 500,000 - 750,000 to prevent significant population growth.

What would happen if we didn’t cull UK deer?

If deer were not culled in the UK, several ecological and environmental impacts could occur. Deer populations, if left unchecked, can grow to levels that the environment cannot sustain. This can lead to overgrazing, which in turn can have detrimental effects on local flora, reduce biodiversity, and alter habitats. Overgrazing by deer can also impact reforestation efforts and negatively affect agricultural lands. Furthermore, large deer populations can increase the likelihood of road accidents and facilitate the spread of diseases like Lyme disease.

Effective deer management is crucial for maintaining a balance between deer populations and the health of ecosystems. This involves not just focusing on numbers but understanding the complex dynamics of deer populations, their impact on environments, and how they interact with human activities and land use.

What are the alternatives?

There are two alternatives to humans killing deer in the UK and that is reintroducing other apex predators such as bears, wolves, lynx and wildcats or killing all the deer. Most people would not advocate for the latter so we’re left with a decision, do we kill the deer or do other predators?

Wolves or humans as the apex in our ecosystem?

Predator and prey populations exhibit a dynamic balance, governed by factors such as availability of food, habitat conditions, and inter-species interactions. Predators control prey numbers, preventing overgrazing or overpopulation. Conversely, the availability of prey influences predator populations.

This interaction often leads to cyclical fluctuations in both populations. This balance is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.

Whilst some people might enjoy seeing (or hearing!) wolves back in the landscape of the UK there are a number of reasons why humans are the better choice.

First of all, if we introduce wolves to control deer populations we are effectively deliberately introducing ecological competition to ourselves. Humans have a biological requirement for protein and deer provide a source of very bioavailable complete protein that otherwise comes from farming, we are not separate from nature but as conscious being we have a duty to be active participants that benefit nature.

In this case, humans have taken their place in nature as a keystone species, it does not suit our activities to compete with wolves so rightly or wrongly we have out competed them, in any other trophic level of any other ecosystem that we studied we would look at this and say ‘that’s just nature’ but we struggle to consider our own actions in this light seeing ourselves as separate from these natural selection processes.

Might humanity be on the verge of evolving into a hyper-conscious keystone species?

In ecological terms, keystone species exert a profound influence on their environments, disproportionate to their numbers. The idea of a hyper-keystone species amplifies this concept, envisioning an entity with an even more extensive and far-reaching impact.

Scientifically, humans, with their advanced cognitive capacities and technological prowess, already align with the definition of a keystone species. Our influence extends well beyond our immediate surroundings, affecting global ecosystems. This widespread impact, for better or worse, distinguishes humans in the natural order, propelling us beyond the traditional confines of a keystone role, hence the prefix ‘hyper.’

From a philosophical perspective, the human faculty for conscious thought, collaboration, and analytical reasoning not only sets us apart from other species but also bestows upon us a distinct duty. It is within our grasp to mitigate the often stark realities of natural predator-prey dynamics.

Our technological advancements enable a transition from mere participants in nature to its stewards, capable of nurturing a 'super-nature.' This envisioned ecosystem, a product of human intervention, could transcend the bounds of the natural world, embodying a blend of biological mechanisms and human ingenuity.

Thus, humans may not just coexist with nature but proactively mold and enhance it, crafting a reality that reflects our comprehension, ethical values, and ambitions. This role surpasses mere participation in nature; it involves being nature's deliberate architect, shaping a world that mirrors our highest ideals and profound understanding of ecological balance.

However, our current capabilities in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from the natural world are limited by computational power, as we grapple with linear processing of complex, holistic patterns. This field is evolving rapidly, though, as our ability to leverage machines for deeper comprehension of this data grows.

Contemplating whether humans are on the threshold of becoming a hyper-conscious keystone species opens a door to both scientific inquiry and philosophical speculation. The term "hyper-conscious" suggests an advanced state of awareness and insight, while a "keystone species" plays a pivotal role in sustaining the structure of an ecological community, influencing numerous other organisms and the ecosystem at large.

Presently, humans are acknowledged as a keystone species due to our significant environmental impact. Yet, the prospect of becoming "hyper-conscious" entails an evolutionary or transformational leap in our awareness and influence.

Philosophically, there lies potential for a collective moral evolution, fostering deeper empathy and consideration for other life forms and future generations.

Nevertheless, formidable challenges and uncertainties loom:

Deep-rooted inequalities, conflicting interests, and power dynamics could obstruct a unified progression towards hyper-consciousness.

Advancements in technology might precipitate unforeseen adverse effects, potentially widening societal divides or inadvertently damaging the environment and human well-being.

Innate human tendencies towards short-term thinking and resistance to change might hinder or convolute our progression towards assuming a hyper-conscious role in nature.

The inherent traits of humans, including our tendency for short-term thinking and resistance to change, could slow or complicate this transition to us taking a hyper-conscious role in nature..