Ecosystem engineers: From pattern formation to habitat creation

A mathematical model for the engineering effects of shrubs and cyanobacteria in water limited systems was proposed. The model highlighted the conditions for habitat creation, habitat diversity, and resilience of the system to perturbations. A novel mechanism for species loss events was suggested as a result of environmental changes. An environmental change inducing a transition between different pattern states of the ecosystem engineers can led to the local disappearance of species if the transition involves a habitat loss.