All articles tagged with #trophic cascade
The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone has been linked to an ecological cascade that benefits the ecosystem, but the extent and causes of this impact are still debated among scientists, with some questioning the strength of the trophic cascade and the role of wolves versus other predators.
In Laikipia county, Kenya, an invasion of big-headed ants has disrupted the ecosystem, leading to a chain of consequences that has caused lions to switch from hunting zebras to hunting buffalo. The invasion has affected the relationship between whistling-thorn trees, native acacia ants, elephants, lions, zebras, and buffalo, illustrating a phenomenon called "trophic cascade." As a result, elephants are browsing and breaking trees more frequently in invaded areas, leading to a decrease in zebra kills and an increase in buffalo kills by lions.