Foundation Species, Non-trophic Interactions, and the Value of Being Common

摘要: Foundation species define ecosystems, control the biological diversity of associated species, modulate critical ecosystem processes, and often have important cultural values resonance. This review summarizes current understanding characteristics traits foundation how to distinguish them from other "important" in ecological systems (e.g., keystone, dominant, core species); illustrates analysis structure function networks can be improved enriched by explicit incorporation their non-trophic interactions; discusses importance pro-active identification management as a cost-effective efficient method sustaining valuable processes services securing populations rare, threatened, or endangered species; suggests broader engagement citizen-scientists non-specialists study values.