Every ecosystem has its unsung heroes. In the African bushveld, there are certain animal species without which the entire system would look, feel, and function completely differently. It is distinctly possible to see these species in action on a typical game drive at Londolozi, and the presence of some is more obvious than others.

What is a Keystone Species?

Ecologists are scientists who study the relationships between living organisms and their environments, analysing how environmental changes impact species and ecosystems. Ecologists have, for a long time, studied these so-called unsung heroes and call them the keystone species. They are the animals that play such a critical role in shaping the balance of life that their absence would trigger a significant ripple effect across all the food webs and animal hierarchy in the bush.

A wonderful capture of the landscape at Londolozi. Rolling crests of marula and knobthorn trees give way to the Sand River and its tributaries, as well as the striking granite rocky outcrop in the distance.

Traditionally, there are three keystone species in the savannah, but over the years guiding in these landscapes, I’ve come to believe there’s room for a fourth. Let me explain them in detail.

The Architect: African Elephant

It’s hard not to marvel at how elephants literally reshape the bush with the staggering amount of grass and leafy things they feed on. Pushing over knobthorn trees, stripping bark from marula trees, or digging for water in dry riverbeds, elephants are the great architects of the Lowveld.

An elephant Bull leans against a Marula tree to ‘shake-out’ the fruit. Elephants will religiously eat these fruits in the summertime and, in doing so, naturally spread the seeds for new trees to grow around the reserve.

Without them, much of the open savanna would revert to thicket, limiting grazing opportunities and reducing the diversity of species that thrive. Their impact is everywhere you look, whether in the open clearings that benefit grazers or the waterholes they create for all to share.

The Regulator: Lion

A pride of lions feeding on a fallen antelope species, this time a Wildebeest.

Londolozi is well recognised for its lions, and for good reason. As apex predators, they regulate the abundance of antelope species and other herbivores, preventing overgrazing and keeping ecosystems in check. They also influence the predator hierarchy, controlling populations of hyena and leopard through competition.

Even in death, their kills provide sustenance for scavengers, insects, and birds. If lions were to be removed from the wild, the entire predator-prey web would totally unravel.

The Recycler: Termites

Far less conspicuous, yet no less important, are the fungus-growing termites. Their mounds, robustly built, rise across the landscape, altering soil chemistry and improving fertility. Around these mounds, trees grow taller and grasses more nutritious, attracting herbivores such as rhinos and impalas and predators alike.

A hornbill curiously pecks at the top of an active termite mound, looking to feed on the protein-rich termites.

Termites recycle plant material, ensuring that the nutrients locked in tough woody vegetation are returned to the soil, fuelling the productivity of the bushveld. They are the hidden workforce behind the richness we see around the reserve every day.

Large trees tend to grow from the nutrient-rich soils in and around termite mounds. This creates a shady spot with a good view. A perfect environment for a leopard to scan around for any potential prey.

The Landscape Shaper: Blue Wildebeest

A playful duo of wildebeest

Now for the curveball. The blue wildebeest may not immediately come to mind as a keystone species, but spend enough time out here and you begin to see the subtle, long-term impact they have. During the breeding season, males establish leks – a small depression in the ground – where they scent mark, roll in the ground and display to females. Over years of repeated use, these leks become worn-down depressions. When the rains arrive, water collects in them, slowly transforming into peripheral pan systems, also known as a mud wallow.

Two male Wildebeests battle for territory near a ‘lek’ site.

These seasonal pans attract insects, amphibians, and waterbirds, while also offering vital drinking spots for a variety of mammals. On top of that, wildebeest herds keep the grass short and nutrient-rich, creating open hunting grounds for wild dogs and cheetah and prime grazing for other herbivores. In their own understated way, wildebeest shape the very landscape and sustain a wealth of life.

The stunning Ximungwe Female drinks from a seasonal pan.

So while the elephants, lions, and termites remain the classic keystone species of the bushveld, the architect, the regulator, and the recycler are also present. I’d argue that the blue wildebeest deserves a place among them as the landscape shaper.

Next time you’re out in the bush and watch a blue wildebeest herd grazing in an open clearing, spare a thought for how their presence stretches far beyond the immediate scene. They’re not just another grazer in the system; they’re long-term designers of waterholes, grasslands, and the intricate web of life that depends on them.

Sometimes the keystones aren’t always the biggest or the fiercest. Sometimes, they’re the quiet contributors whose influence only reveals itself when you look at the bushveld over the years, not just the immediate moments.