Animal influences on ecosystem dynamics
Naiman RJ. 1988. Animal influences on ecosystem dynamics. BioScience. 38(11):750-752
Large animals tend to have substantial impact on ecosystems through their feeding strategies and their physical alterations of to the environment. North American beaver that build dams have been shown to be instrumental in the formation of wetlands and meadows, the geologic and vegetative features of which may persist for centuries. Herbivores, such as moose, can shift the forest plant community from deciduous to coniferous. This effect can ultimately influence soil formation, plant productivity and succession, and animal population dynamics.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Naiman, Robert
- Units
- VOYA
- Keywords
- Beaver (Castor canadensis), Ecosystem dynamics, Feeding, Habitat Alteration, Landscape Ecology