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PubMed · 15447146

Ecosystem engineers: from pattern formation to habitat creation.

E Gilad·J von Hardenberg·A Provenzale·M Shachak·E Meron
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Abstract

Habitat and species richness in drylands are affected by the dynamics of a few key species, termed "ecosystem engineers." These species modulate the landscape and redistribute the water resources so as to allow the introduction of other species. A mathematical model is developed for a pair of ecosystem engineers commonly found in drylands: plants forming vegetation patterns and cyanobacteria forming soil crusts. The model highlights conditions for habitat creation and for high habitat richness, and suggests a novel mechanism for species loss events as a result of environmental changes.

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BiophysicsCyanobacteriaEcologyEcosystemEnvironmentModels, TheoreticalPlantsSoilTime FactorsWaterJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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E Gilad, J von Hardenberg, A Provenzale, M Shachak, E Meron. 2004-08-26. Ecosystem engineers: from pattern formation to habitat creation.. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.93.098105

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