Ecosystem Engineers: Plants to ProtistsThe first book entirely devoted to this topic, Ecosystem Engineers begins with the history of the concept, presenting opposing definitions of ecosystem engineeing. These varied definitions advance the debate and move past trivial difficulties to crystallize key issues such as the value of process-based vs. outcome-based. Authors include case studies spanning a wide spectrum of species and habitats, including above and below-ground, aquatic and terrestrial, and extant and paleontological examples. These studies enable readers to understand how the categorization of species as ecosystem engineers allows scientists to forge new explanatory generalizations. Key for all ecologists and environmentalists, this book ultimately illustrates how to inform and manage natural resources.
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Contents
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EXAMPLES AND APPLICATIONS | 75 |
THEORIES AND MODELS | 209 |
SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUES AND MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | 279 |
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Common terms and phrases
abiotic abiotic environment abundance activities alter arthropods backdune benthic Biological biomass biotic bioturbation Bottjer burrows Byers California Cambrian Carpobrotus caterpillars concept crust Cuddington D’Antonio decrease density diversity drilosphere dynamics earthworms ecosys ecosystem engineering ecosystem services edulis engi engineering effects engineering species environmental Equation eradication erosion estuaries example factors feedback Figure forest function grazing growth rate habitat herbaceous herbivores impacts increase infiltration influence interactions invaded invasive species isopod Journal keystone species Klinger Lambrinos landscape Lavelle leaf shelters life-form litter Marine microbial modification native neering Negev Neoproterozoic nutrient Oecologia Oikos organisms oyster reefs patches physical ecosystem engineering plant species population potential predators processes production quoianum restoration result role runoff salt marsh Santa Barbara sediment Shachak shelter-builders shrubs soil Soil Biology soil-water Spartina spatial species richness structure studies surface tion Tortricidae trace fossils Trends in Ecology trophic variables vegetation Willapa Bay
Popular passages
Page 6 - Physical ecosystem engineers are organisms that directly or indirectly control the availability of resources to other organisms by causing physical state changes in biotic or abiotic materials.
Page 6 - Ecosystem engineers are organisms that directly or indirectly modulate the availability of resources (other than themselves) to other species by causing physical state changes in biotic or abiotic materials. In so doing they modify, maintain and/or create habitats. The direct provision of resources by an organism to other species, in the form of living or dead tissues is not engineering.
Page 20 - Aller, RC (1988) Benthic fauna and biogeochemical processes in marine sediments: The role of burrow structures. In: Nitrogen Cycling in Coastal Marine Environments, (Eds TH Blackburn and J.
Page 34 - Every oyster-bed is thus, to a certain degree, a community of living beings, a collection of species, and a massing of individuals, which find here everything necessary for their growth and continuance, such as suitable soil, sufficient food, the requisite percentage of salt, and a temperature favorable to their development. Each species which lives here is represented by the greatest number of individuals which can grow to maturity subject to the conditions which surround them...
Page 38 - BRENCHLEY, GA 1981. Disturbance and community structure: an experimental study of bioturbation in marine soft-bottom environments.
Page 37 - Barley, KP and Jennings, AC 1959. Earthworms and soil fertility. III. The influence of earthworms on the availability of nitrogen, Aust. J.