Integrating Ecosystem Engineering and Spatial Heterogeneity Concepts: Toward a Biologically Diverse Mongolian Steppe

摘要

I report on my attempt to integrate ecosystem engineering and spatial heterogeneity concepts and examine how consideration of these concepts can be used in the restoration of the Mongolian steppe, aiming for a biologically diverse steppe. Lots of studies have showed spatial heterogeneity and biodiversity to be positively correlated, and the actions of ecosystem engineers (i.e., organisms that create or modify habitats) have increased spatial heterogeneity, indicating them to be a potential tool for maintaining biodiversity. Potential ecosystem engineers in Mongolia include large herbivores (such as livestock), burrowing rodents and shrubs. Judging from their contributions to spatial heterogeneity, the latter two are more promising engineers. However, we must evaluate the influence of ecosystem engineers on the spatial heterogeneity of the targeted landscape at the targeted spatial scale in the advance of their introduction; otherwise we might obtain opposite results. More studies are needed in order to better understand biodiversity, spatial heterogeneity and ecosystem engineering, as well as the interactions among them, in the Mongolian steppe for successful introduction of ecosystem engineers.