ecosystemengineer

An ecosystem engineer is an organism that significantly modifies, creates, or maintains a habitat. These modifications can directly and indirectly influence the availability of resources, as well as the physical structure of the environment, for other species. Ecosystem engineers can be categorized into two main types: allogenic and autogenic. Allogenic engineers are organisms that alter the habitat by physically moving, or by causing changes in the physical environment such as sediment transport or nutrient cycling. Beavers, for example, are classic allogenic engineers that build dams, altering water flow and creating new wetland habitats. Autogenic engineers are organisms that modify their environment by their own physical structures or by creating conditions that facilitate their own growth and reproduction, which in turn alters the habitat for others. Corals, which build reefs, are autogenic engineers. Their calcium carbonate skeletons create complex three-dimensional structures that support a vast diversity of marine life. The impact of ecosystem engineers can be far-reaching, affecting biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and the overall functioning of an ecosystem. Their absence or decline can lead to significant habitat degradation and loss of species.