A Study of the Ecological Roles of Animal Communities in Maintaining Ecosystem Balance and Functioning
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Abstract
Animal communities constitute an essential component of biodiversity and play a fundamental role in maintaining ecosystem balance and ecological functioning. Interactions among vertebrates and invertebrates regulate population dynamics, nutrient cycling, energy transfer, pollination, and decomposition processes. The structure and stability of ecosystems depend greatly on the functional contributions of these faunal groups. The present study analyses the ecological roles of animal communities across forest, grassland, wetland, and aquatic habitats to understand how they contribute to ecosystem stability. Community composition, trophic interactions, and functional significance were examined using ecological records and biodiversity indicators. The findings indicate that diverse animal assemblages enhance resilience, productivity, and sustainability of ecosystems, whereas loss of faunal diversity disrupts ecological balance. The study emphasizes the importance of conserving animal communities to maintain ecosystem functioning and environmental stability.
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