A global database and "state of the field" review of research into ecosystem engineering by land animals

The Journal of Animal Ecology
Nicole V CogganHeloise Gibb

Abstract

Ecosystem engineers have been widely studied for terrestrial systems, but global trends in research encompassing the range of taxa and functions have not previously been synthesised. We reviewed contemporary understanding of engineer fauna in terrestrial habitats and assessed the methods used to document patterns and processes, asking: (a) which species act as ecosystem engineers and with whom do they interact? (b) What are the impacts of ecosystem engineers in terrestrial habitats and how are they distributed? (c) What are the primary methods used to examine engineer effects and how have these developed over time? We considered the strengths, weaknesses and gaps in knowledge related to each of these questions and suggested a conceptual framework to delineate "significant impacts" of engineering interactions for all terrestrial animals. We collected peer-reviewed publications examining ecosystem engineer impacts and created a database of engineer species to assess experimental approaches and any additional covariates that influenced the magnitude of engineer impacts. One hundred and twenty-two species from 28 orders were identified as ecosystem engineers, performing five ecological functions. Burrowing mammals were the most res...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 8, 2018·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Andreas H SchweigerJens-Christian Svenning
Mar 11, 2020·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Ruchira SomaweeraBruce L Webber
Aug 19, 2020·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Alex C MaiseyAndrew F Bennett
Sep 24, 2020·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·T De AlmeidaO Blight
May 21, 2019·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Milton BarbosaRebecca J Morris
Aug 27, 2019·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Thiago F RodriguesAdriano G Chiarello
Dec 19, 2020·Ecology·J Sean DoodySimon Clulow
Feb 23, 2021·ELife·Katie HindeChristopher N Anderson

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