Reviving Mount St. Helens: The 24-Hour Gopher Experiment

After the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, scientists used gophers to help regenerate the barren landscape by digging up beneficial microorganisms. This 24-hour experiment led to significant ecological recovery, with 40,000 plants thriving in previously desolate areas. The study highlights the crucial role of microorganisms and cross-species interactions in ecosystem restoration, demonstrating the enduring impact of innovative environmental interventions.