The Powerful Role of Large Herbivores in Controlling Invasive Plants
A study from Aarhus University and the Wildlife Institute of India reveals that large herbivores, such as elephants and rhinos, can help protect native plants by eating and trampling on invasive plant species. Native plants have evolved to withstand the impact of herbivores they coexist with, while invasive plants typically cannot. The research suggests that using large herbivores as a natural weapon can prevent invasive plants from outcompeting native species. The study's findings are relevant not only in India but also in other areas with herbivores of varying sizes.