Reintroducing bison to grasslands increases plant diversity, drought resilience, K-State study finds

The study found that European bison prefer woody plants in autumn and winter, while red deer eat more woody plants than other species. Fallow deer have a higher consumption of legumes and herbaceous plants compared to the bison.

A global study led by Colorado State University scientists shows that extreme drought has been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands. The study found that the loss of aboveground plant growth was 60% greater when short-term drought was extreme, exceeding previously reported losses.

Research finds biodiversity delivers largest gains under extreme drought in drier grasslands, with stronger effects from species complementarity. In contrast, forests show no comparable context dependence under extreme drought.

A recent study found that restoring large-scale bison migrations in the northern Yellowstone ecosystem unlocks the species' full ecological power. Bison herds enhance nutrient cycles, diversify habitats, and drive processes like nutrient cycling and productivity.

Research reveals that Eurasian Steppe grasslands are more susceptible to drought than North American Great Plains due to lower plant diversity. The study found a 43% reduction in annual productivity in Eurasia compared to a 25% reduction in North America under similar extreme drought conditions.

Researchers at Texas A&M University developed the most comprehensive genome yet for the North American bison, revealing a gene mutation responsible for albinism. The discovery paves the way for understanding genetic variations impacting important traits and informing conservation management.