The role of pocket gophers as subterranean ecosystem engineers

摘要: Pocket gophers (Geomyidae) and their ecological cognates worldwide have profound impacts on ecosystems, from consuming vegetation to altering the soil physically. The rodents excavate vast burrow systems deposit tailings in abandoned tunnels ground surface. Energetic costs of excavations are extremely high, placing a premium optimizing location burrows. resulting disturbance patterns alter physical biotic processes fundamentally. Recent studies reveal that extensive associated generate dynamic mosaic nutrients conditions promotes diversity maintains disturbance-dependent components plant communities. Furthermore, these disturbances significantly accelerate erosion downslope movement shallow slopes inhibit them steep slopes.