∞ generated and posted on 2016.12.23 ∞
Indirect positive impacts that one species can have on another species.
Facilitation differs from the positive impact by one species as associated with mutualisms, commensalisms, or parasitisms because the interaction between species is less intimate. In particular, facilitation represent positive that literally extend beyond the body of the facilitator.
When viewed instead from the perspective of the facilitating organisms, the facilitations themselves can be viewed as a kind of . For example, a can be viewed as an extension of the 's phenotype while at the same time a phenomenon that, by creating a , is helpful to other species (e.g., fish).
See also the concept of keystone species and ecosystem engineers.