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Articles on Ecosystem recovery

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Smaller predators steer clear of wolves, but that brings them closer to people – and the dangers humans pose. Star Tribune via Getty Images

When wolves move in, they push smaller carnivores closer to human development – with deadly consequences

Reintroducing wolves can restore important ecological processes, but it can have unintended effects when smaller predators like coyotes are driven closer to people, a team of ecologists found.
Beavers dramatically change a landscape by building dams that create ponds of still water. Jerzy Strzelecki/Wikimedia Commons

Beavers and oysters are helping restore lost ecosystems with their engineering skills – podcast

Restoring entire ecosystems is a difficult and expensive process. Thankfully, certain species, called ecosystem engineers, can make restoration easier. Gaining social and political support is critical too.
Maine’s Penobscot River flows freely where the Veazie Dam once stood. Dam removals have reopened the river to 12 native fish species. Gregory Rec/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

When dams cause more problems than they solve, removing them can pay off for people and nature

Thousands of dams across the US are aging and overdue for maintenance. Taking them down can revive rivers, restore fish runs and create new opportunities for tourism and outdoor activities.
A phytoplankton bloom stretching across the Barents Sea off the coast of mainland Europe’s most northern point. European Space Agency

Ocean ecosystems take two million years to recover after mass extinction – new research

Populations of plankton are in decline. If we push this critical foundation of the marine food chain to extinction, we could cripple ecosystems for millions of years.

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