The Landscape-Altering Power Of Animals

LONDON (ANI)- A new study led by Professor Gemma Harvey from Queen Mary University of London reveals how hundreds of species shape the landscapes we rely on, from termite mounds visible from space to beavers creating wetlands and hippos carving drainage systems.

Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), this first-of-its-kind global synthesis identifies 603 species, genera, or families that influence Earth’s surface processes. From tiny ants shifting soil to salmon reshaping riverbeds, the study highlights the vast impact of animals across freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.

By estimating the collective energy of these “natural engineers,” researchers found their geomorphic contributions rival those of major floods. The study identifies a diverse range of species, including insects, mammals, fish, birds, and reptiles, that significantly shape landscapes, extending beyond well-known examples like beavers and salmon.

Although freshwater habitats cover just 2.4% of the Earth’s surface, they are home to more than a third of these landscape-shaping species. Animals collectively contribute at least 76,000 gigajoules of energy annually to shaping the Earth’s surface—comparable to hundreds of thousands of extreme floods. This estimate is likely conservative, as significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where biodiversity is highest but research is limited.

The study provides striking examples of animals’ impact on landscapes. Termites build vast mound networks in Brazil, some spanning thousands of square kilometers. Salmon spawning shifts as much sediment as annual flooding, while ants, through their countless small actions, alter soil structure and drainage.

Professor Harvey stated, “This research shows that the role of animals in shaping Earth’s landscapes is much more significant than previously recognized. From beavers creating wetlands to ants building mounds of soil, these diverse natural processes are crucial, yet we risk losing them as biodiversity declines.”

Nearly 30% of the identified species are rare, endemic, or threatened, meaning vital geomorphic processes could disappear before their full significance is understood. This loss could have profound consequences for ecosystems and the landscapes they sustain.

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