Giant Bladder Kelp

Giant kelp is the world's largest alga, growing up to 60 meters tall and at speeds of 60cm per day - one of the fastest growth rates in nature. Its gas-filled bladders lift fronds toward sunlight, creating underwater forests that shelter over 800 species. These forests can be completely destroyed by urchin barrens if sea otters (which eat urchins) disappear.

Giant kelp demonstrates infrastructure-level ecosystem engineering. It doesn't just survive in its environment - it creates environment for hundreds of other species. The business parallel is platform companies that create ecosystems: their success enables many other businesses to exist, but their failure collapses entire dependent communities.