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  <url>
    <loc>https://www.scienceandexploration.com/life-sciences/what-are-keystone-species-and-why-they-matter</loc>
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      <news:publication>
        <news:name>Science and Exploration</news:name>
        <news:language>en</news:language>
      </news:publication>
      <news:publication_date>2026-09-13T14:54:47.409Z</news:publication_date>
      <news:title>What Are Keystone Species and Why Do They Matter for Ecosystems?</news:title>
      <news:keywords>keystone species, ecosystem stability, biodiversity loss, conservation efforts, ecological roles</news:keywords>
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      <image:caption>A diverse coral reef ecosystem with a central sea star, illustrating the concept of a keystone species and its importance to marine biodiversity.</image:caption>
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