ecosystem engineers

Ecosystem engineers are species that create or modify habitats, significantly shaping their environment and affecting other organisms. They do this through their physical activities, such as building burrows, altering water flow, or changing vegetation. For example, beavers build dams that create ponds, influencing water levels and benefiting many other species. Their actions can increase biodiversity, improve resource availability, or sometimes cause environmental changes that impact the entire ecosystem. In essence, ecosystem engineers play a vital role in maintaining the health, structure, and diversity of their habitats through their natural behaviors.