Ecosystem engineering influence of Mongolian marmots (Marmota sibirica) on small mammal communities in Mongolia

Engineering by cape ground squirrels affects biodiversity in semi-arid grasslands

“…Several burrowing grassland mammals have been identified as ecosystem engineers, particularly social species where the density of social groups creates distinctive patches of habitat, such as prairie dogs (Cynomys spp. ; Davidson et al, 2012) in North America, marmots in Eurasia (Marmota sibirica; Valkó et al, 2021;Suuri et al, 2022), degus (Octodon degus; Übernickel et al, 2021) in South America, and bettongs in Australia (Bettongia lesueur; Davidson et al, 2012). In the dry temperate grasslands of southern Africa, only the semi-social springhare (Pedetes capensis; Davidson et al, 2012) and the solitary aardvark (Orycteropus afer; Louw et al, 2019) have been identified as burrowing ecosystem engineers.…”