How Trophic Cascades Devastate Ecosystems and Endanger Human Health

All living things in an ecosystem are connected, and disrupting one species can have serious consequences. Scientists have studied how the loss of certain animals affects both nature and humans.

For example, when trees in the U.S. were destroyed by an invasive beetle, human deaths from respiratory and heart diseases increased. In Yellowstone, removing gray wolves in the 1920s caused elk populations to grow too fast, leading to the destruction of vegetation. These chain reactions, called trophic cascades, show how fragile ecosystems are, especially with climate change.

One major example is the decline of bats. Bats eat insects, reducing the need for pesticides. However, a disease called white-nose syndrome has wiped out millions of bats in North America. As a result, farmers have used more insecticides, leading to higher infant mortality rates. A study found that between 2006 and 2017, the loss of bats caused 1,334 extra infant deaths in the U.S. Scientists are working on treatments, like sprays and vaccines, to save bat populations.

Another overlooked species, vultures, plays a crucial role in public health. In India, vultures used to clean up dead animal carcasses. But in the 1990s, a drug called diclofenac, used on cattle, poisoned vultures, nearly wiping them out. This led to an increase in rotting carcasses, which polluted water and boosted the number of disease-spreading wild dogs. Between 2000 and 2005, 500,000 extra human deaths in India were linked to the loss of vultures.

These cases highlight the importance of biodiversity. While people often focus on saving cute animals like pandas, species like bats and vultures are equally vital. Protecting them helps maintain healthy ecosystems and benefits human health.

Read the full article “How Trophic Cascades Devastate Ecosystems and Endanger Human Health” by Leslie Alan Horvitz

🔭   This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.