The world's rarest species—both plants and animals—contribute disproportionally to the ecosystems where they reside, according to the recent research. This new information is changing how scientists view rare species, many of which are on the brink of extinction. An international team of researchers is answering the question of just how important these rare species really are. According to team's findings, rare species are irreplaceable when it comes to the functionality of ecosystems. When they are removed, ecological processes may be altered with cascading consequences for other plants and animals, as well as ecosystem services. http://phys.org/news/2016-04-rare-species-important-believed.html
