1 On the purpose, meaning, and usage of the physical ecosystem engineering concept

Abstract

This chapter presents a perspective on selected aspects of the purpose, meaning, and usage of the physical ecosystem engineering concept, including some new thoughts, some clarification, and some reification. The chapter briefly describes the domain, general purpose, and components of the concept. The chapter also defines two coupled, direct interactions comprising ecosystem engineering—the physical ecosystem engineering process responsible for abiotic change, and physical ecosystem engineering consequence that addresses biotic effects of abiotic change. The chapter also clarifies the meaning of “ecosystem” in ecosystem engineer . The chapter addresses causes of process ubiquity and how they lead to general expectations of consequence. It also examines sources of context-dependent variation in engineer effect magnitude and significance and what needs to be known to predict effects. The chapter also defines conditions for detectable engineering effects and the condition for large effects, all other factors being equal (i.e., ceteris paribus). The chapter argues against unspecified conflation of process and consequence.