In grasslands remade by humans, animals may protect biodiversity: Grazers let in the light, rescue imperiled plants
Monday, March 10, 2014 - 09:30
in Biology & Nature
A study of grasslands on six continents suggests a way to counteract the human-made overdose of fertilizer that threatens the biodiversity of the world's prairies. The solution originates in nature: let grazing animals crop fast growing grasses, which have a competitive advantage in an over-fertilized world. The grasses block sunlight from ground level, but herbivores make light available to other plants.