Monitoring and modelling the effects of ecosystem engineers on ecosystem functioning

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Version: Final published version
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_50B6A9D063FF
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Monitoring and modelling the effects of ecosystem engineers on ecosystem functioning
Journal
Functional Ecology
Author(s)
Losapio Gianalberto, Genes Luísa, Knight Christopher J., McFadden Tyler N., Pavan Lucas
ISSN
0269-8463
1365-2435
Publication state
Published
Issued date
02/04/2023
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Language
english
Abstract
Biodiversity is crucial for supporting ecosystem functioning, yet some species play a disproportionate role in maintaining complex ecological processes. Ecosystem engineers are species that directly influence ecosystems by modifying biophysical environments, creating novel habitats, altering biogeochemical cycles, increasing biodiversity and/or modulating ecological processes. Although these species may substantially influence ecosystem functioning, their role is often overlooked and difficult to quantify. Understanding the status, dynamics and trends of ecosystem engineers is essential for mitigating biodiversity loss and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
This review reveals the common but underappreciated roles that ecosystem engineers play in ecosystem functioning across many different taxa, biomes and ecological processes. We first synthesise how knowledge of ecosystem engineering improves our understanding of species interactions and the ecological processes underlying both ecosystem functioning and BEF relationships. We provide a conceptual model for addressing the effects of ecosystem engineers in BEF research and ecological dynamics.
We provide a ‘how to’ analytical framework for monitoring and quantifying changes in ecosystem engineers and their effects on ecosystem functioning. This framework includes (i) what variables to measure, how and at which scale; (ii) experiments involving species exclusion or removal, introduction and comparative designs when experimental manipulation is not feasible and (iii) statistical, data-driven and theory-driven models.
We discuss how to leverage ecosystem engineering in the context of current global change and ecosystem restoration efforts. Including ecosystem engineers in conservation and restoration programs, when implemented in the appropriate context and supported by an understanding of ecological mechanisms and processes, may be crucial for sustaining biological diversity and functional ecosystems.
Keywords
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Funding(s)
Swiss National Science Foundation / PZ00P3_202127
Create date
05/04/2023 10:19
Last modification date
06/05/2023 5:49
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