SEATTLE — Robert “Bob” Paine, an influential ecologist best known for introducing the concept of “keystone species,” has died. He was 83.
UW biology professor Jennifer Ruesink says Paine, a retired zoology professor at the University of Washington, died of a type of blood cancer Monday night at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. She was informed of his death by his daughter.
During the 1960s, Paine conducted experiments off the coast of Washington state that gave birth to the idea that certain “keystone species” play a crucial role in maintaining the diversity of their ecosystems. He showed that by removing a top predator, the starfish, from the shoreline, dramatic changes occurred. Mussels that the starfish feed on took over, pushing out other species and lowering diversity.
Oregon State University’s Bruce Menge says Paine’s legacy is immense and that he had an incredible impact on the entire field of ecology.
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