What term describes the Eastern Barred Bandicoot's role in countering soil compaction?
Answer
ecosystem engineers
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is recognized as an 'ecosystem engineer' due to the significant, disproportionate impact its nightly foraging behavior has on the landscape. Despite having a relatively small mass, often around 750 grams, their relentless digging in search of invertebrates like grubs, beetles, and worms results in substantial earthworks. This continuous, localized disturbance provides critical ecological benefits, including the aeration of compacted soil, enhancement of soil moisture retention capabilities, promotion of seed dispersal, and the creation of necessary micro-habitats for various other organisms within grassland and grassy woodland ecosystems.
Related Questions
What is the reported average adult mass for Eastern Barred Bandicoots dwelling in Tasmania?What range of average mass supports the mainland populations of *Perameles gunnii*?What term describes the Eastern Barred Bandicoot's role in countering soil compaction?Approximately how much soil is estimated for a single bandicoot to turn over nightly?What is the recorded range for the gestation period of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot?What is the characteristically short lifespan observed for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot in the wild?How far can the Eastern Barred Bandicoot gallop or jump in a single leap to escape danger?What specific food item caused released bandicoots on Phillip Island to become "especially fat"?What is the generally reported approximate length for the short, thin tail of *Perameles gunnii*?What measurement is cited as the maximum head and body length recorded for the species?