Desert ironwood is a keystone species because it provides a nursery environment of shade and protection that enables young seedlings of other species to become established despite the harsh desert climate, where daytime high temperatures can exceed . The ironwood also provides shade and roosting area habitats for birds.
In the context of the desert ecosystem, desert ironwood is a keystone species because it creates a shaded and protected environment that enables other species to survive and thrive in the extreme heat. This provision of shade and protection also serves as a habitat for birds.