Citation
A note on trophic complexity and community stability
TL;DR
Coined the term 'keystone species'
This paper introduced the term 'keystone species,' comparing the ecological role to an architectural keystone whose removal causes structural collapse. The architectural metaphor powerfully communicates the concept: remove one brick from a wall and the wall stands; remove the keystone from an arch and the entire structure collapses.
This framing has proven influential in both ecology and business strategy, providing a clear mental model for understanding disproportionate structural importance.
Key Findings from Paine (1969)
- Coined the term 'keystone species'
- Established the architectural keystone metaphor for ecological function
- Clarified the relationship between trophic complexity and community stability