Beech cupules as keystone structures for soil fauna.

ABSTRACT: Facilitative or positive interactions are ubiquitous in nature and play a fundamental role in the configuration of ecological communities. In particular, habitat modification and niche construction, in which one organism locally modifies abiotic conditions and favours other organisms by buffering the effects of adverse environmental factors, are among the most relevant facilitative interactions. In line with this, 'keystone structures', which provide resources, refuge, or advantageous services decisive for other species, may allow the coexistence of various species and thus considerably contribute to diversity maintenance. Beech cupules are woody husks harbouring beech fruits that remain in the forest soil for relatively long periods of time. In this study, we explored the potential role o

SUBMITTER: Melguizo-Ruiz N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5075700 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature