Respect for ecosystem engineers

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When researching keystone species and soil aggregates, beavers and earthworms are often described as ecosystem engineers. Beavers cut down trees to build dams, and the lakes that are created by the damming are said to be new habitats for waterfowl, platypuses, and wetland plants. Earthworms create soil aggregates, improving the soil and providing a place for plants and microorganisms to grow. Perhaps they are called engineers because of their image of manufacturing, construction, and civil engineering.

https://nougyoudoboku.com/ecosystem-engineers

Elephants are also called forest gardeners, and they cut down trees and step through the bushes to make paths for animals. It’s like road construction using heavy machinery. Also, elephant footprints become pools where frogs can grow and become shelters when there is no water. Even just the footprints are quite large. Elephants are amazing.

https://natgeo.nikkeibp.co.jp/atcl/news/19/062700374

Also, woodpeckers and giant armadillos dig holes, which become homes for other creatures. This is drilling work. The temperature and humidity inside the holes are constant, so they become stable homes and shelters. Woodpeckers dig into trees, giant armadillos dig into soil, and sea urchins dig into rocks. They are called burrowing organisms, and sea urchins are ecosystem engineers, too. Apparently, the number of organisms in holes made by sea urchins is about three times higher than outside. Sea urchins are amazing.

https://jp.mongabay.com/2014/03/

https://www.spf.org/opri/newsletter/555_3.html

In addition, when leafrollers roll leaves to make cigars, the spaces between the rolled leaves are used by insects to hide and avoid temperature changes. This is similar to tent construction. Also, when the narrow-shelled snails gather, they create a hard shell base on the soft tidal flats, on which many creatures live. It’s like foundation construction or bank construction.

There seem to be quite a few species that qualify as ecosystem engineers. It’s amazing that they can modify the environment while still carrying out their own activities, and benefit other living things. Ecosystem engineers are amazing. The Earth’s ecosystem is amazing.

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