Final answer:
Hippos play a significant role in the ecological communities they live in as 'ecosystem engineers.' Their feeding habits and activities help maintain plant communities, and their defecation provides nutrients to the ecosystem. Hippos contribute to the overall balance and functioning of their ecological communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hippos, like other large vertebrates, play a significant role in the ecological communities in which they live. They are considered 'ecosystem engineers' because they have a strong impact on community structure and function. Hippos are primarily herbivores that graze on vegetation, and their feeding habits and activities help maintain the structure and relative abundance of plant communities. Additionally, the defecation of hippos provides nutrients to the ecosystem and supports the abundance of organisms such as dung beetles. Therefore, hippos contribute to the overall balance and functioning of their ecological communities.