Citation
Organisms as ecosystem engineers
TL;DR
Ecosystem engineers have disproportionate impacts relative to their biomass
Introduced the concept of ecosystem engineers - organisms that modify their physical environment in ways that affect resource availability for other species. Distinguished between autogenic engineers (modifying environment via their own bodies, like corals) and allogenic engineers (modifying environment through external structures, like beavers). This framework directly maps to business ecosystem engineering.
Key Findings from Jones et al. (1994)
- Ecosystem engineers have disproportionate impacts relative to their biomass
- Engineering effects can persist long after the engineer is gone
- Engineering creates habitat heterogeneity that affects community structure