Educating on Ecosystem Engineers
Educating on Ecosystem Engineers
With the support of the Landcare NSW People Led Prevention (PLP) project Shoalhaven Landcare have recently delivered two workshops to describe the benefits of "ecosystem engineers".
Community Participation -
LEP23 - 014_LLC08_2
The issue
Following the devastation of the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires research is being done to show the importance and complexity of the role of small ground dwelling native animals in contributing to altering on-ground fuel loads in our native vegetation and as a result altering the impacts of bushfires. These ground dwelling animals are known as 'ecosystem engineers".
An "ecosystem engineer" is an organism that changes its physical environment in ways that effect other species (Massey 2020). There are a number of native animals that scratch, dig and burrow in order to find food or create homes including lyrebirds, echidna, native rats, bandicoots, wombats and other bird species. In doing this, they disturb the soil layers and turnover leaf litter which provides a number of benefits to the local environment and other species. This disturbance can reduce fuel loads of leaf litter which would in a bushfire, uncover grubs and organisms some animals eat, disperse seed and spores.
The solution
As part of a Landcare NSW grant funded project (PLP), Shoalhaven Landcare were able to organise two workshops to share and educate on the importance of "ecosystem engineers". Shoalhaven Landcare engaged qualified ecologists and experts in the field to deliver a workshop in Kangaroo Valley and Bawley Point. Participants were invited to listen to our experts discuss ecosystem engineers and the beneficial roles they play in our ecosystems. The group then participated in a walk and talk, followed by lunch, giving participants a chance to ask more questions and connect with other locals.
The impact
Over 50 people attended the two "Ecosystem Engineer" workshops despite one of the days experiencing heavy rain. Participants were engaged to learn about how our ground dwelling native animals can alter the leaf litter and soil structure through their digging to reduce the fuel loads on ground.
Key facts
- Recent research has shown the importance of ground dwelling native animals in reducing fuel loads by turning over soil and leaf litter.
- Shoalhaven Landcare delivered two workshops highlighting the importance of Ecosystem Engineers
- This project was proudly supported by the Landcare NSW People Led Prevention Project (PLP)