Ecosystem Engineering
Physical modification of the environment by organisms that affects resource availability for other species. Engineers create, modify, or maintain habitat.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 3 chapters:
"It provides cold storage, transport, and auction facilities that individual growers couldn't afford. This is ecosystem engineering (Chapter 8's earthworms) - creating infrastructure that benefits all participants. - Shared information: Auction prices are transparent."
"...ions: Technology de-risking: In 2009, DONG Energy had placed a bulk order for 500 Siemens 3.6 MW turbines. This wasn't just procurement - it was ecosystem engineering. The massive order gave Siemens certainty to invest in turbine manufacturing capacity. It created economies of scale."
"...ge, long-lived species (elephants, whales, old-growth trees) often have keystone roles because their size and longevity create persistent effects. Ecosystem engineering: Species that physically modify habitat (beavers, coral, termites, prairie dogs) are often keystones because structure begets diversity. **Respons..."
Biological Context
Beavers create ponds, elephants maintain grasslands by knocking down trees, earthworms improve soil structure. Ecosystem engineers affect many species through their physical modifications, often having effects disproportionate to their biomass.
Business Application
Platform companies are ecosystem engineers: they create environments where other businesses operate. Understanding ecosystem engineering helps identify strategic positions with outsized influence.