Study shows non-native large herbivores have indistinguishable effects on plant communities as natives, challenging the assumption they damage ecosystems more.

New research published in Science suggests that eradicating animals on the basis of them not being native to protect plant species can be a flawed practice that costs millions of dollars and results in the slaughter of millions of healthy wild animals. The study found that introduced large herbivores and native large herbivores, also known as megafauna, have indistinguishable effects on plant communities. These findings challenge the common assumption that non-native species damage ecosystems more than native species.

February 01, 2024
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