Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Ecosystem engineers are organisms that significantly modify their environment, creating new habitats and altering the physical structure of ecosystems. They play a crucial role in shaping and maintaining biodiversity.
Related terms
Keystone Species: Keystone species are organisms that have a disproportionately large impact on an ecosystem relative to their abundance. They help maintain the balance and stability of the ecosystem.
Succession refers to the gradual process of change in the composition and structure of an ecological community over time. It involves the replacement of one community by another until a stable climax community is reached.
Habitat Fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation occurs when large continuous habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches due to human activities such as urbanization or deforestation. This can disrupt ecosystems and lead to loss of biodiversity.