Bioturbation: a fresh look at Darwin's last idea

• Published in: Trends in ecology & evolution (Amsterdam) Vol. 21; no. 12; pp. 688 - 695
• Main Authors: Meysman, Filip J.R., Middelburg, Jack J., Heip, Carlo H.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Evolution; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecology; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Geologic Sediments; Metazoa; Models, Theoretical; Paleontology; Paleontology: general; Geomorphology; Theory; Biological evolution; Geochemistry; Ecology; Review; Sediments; Precambrian; Metazoa; Bioturbation; Virus; Soils; Animal activity; Bacteria; Ecosystem engineer
• ISSN: 0169-5347; 1872-8383
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2006.08.002

Bioturbation refers to the biological reworking of soils and sediments, and its importance for soil processes and geomorphology was first realised by Charles Darwin, who devoted his last scientific book to the subject. Here, we review some new insights into the evolutionary and ecological role of bioturbation that would have probably amazed Darwin. In modern ecological theory, bioturbation is now recognised as an archetypal example of ‘ecosystem engineering’, modifying geochemical gradients, redistributing food resources, viruses, bacteria, resting stages and eggs. From an evolutionary perspective, recent investigations provide evidence that bioturbation had a key role in the evolution of metazoan life at the end of the Precambrian Era.