“Hidden Architects explores the unseen yet indispensable world of soil fauna—organisms that shape biodiversity from below. Through richly detailed case studies, this book unveils the ecological roles of isopod that engineer soil structure, regulate nutrient cycles, and influence plant and microbial communities. These “hidden architects” are categorized into functional guilds—decomposers, predators, ecosystem engineers, and nutrient cyclers—each contributing uniquely to ecosystem resilience and productivity.
Drawing from regional examples, especially within the biodiverse landscapes of Kerala and the Western Ghats, the book highlights species-specific behaviors, habitat preferences, and conservation challenges. It integrates taxonomy, physiology, and ecological interactions to demonstrate how soil fauna underpin aboveground biodiversity and ecosystem services. The case studies are supported by comparative tables, diagrams, and outreach-ready narratives that make the science accessible to students, educators, and policymakers.”
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