Gophers' Remarkable Role in Reviving Mount St. Helens

After the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, scientists introduced gophers to the devastated landscape to aid in ecological recovery. The gophers' burrowing activities helped unearth beneficial microbes and fungi, significantly enhancing soil health and biodiversity. A recent study highlights the long-term positive impact of this intervention, showing increased microbial activity and plant growth in areas where gophers were introduced. This underscores the crucial role of soil microbes and fungi in ecosystem restoration.