Animals are not just inhabitants of the natural world—they are its architects., says a groundbreaking study from Queen Mary University of London. The study reveals the significant role animals play in shaping Earth’s landscapes. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the study uncovers the impact of hundreds of species. These range from termites to beavers. They reshape ecosystems and contribute to processes that support life on Earth.
The research, a global synthesis, identifies 603 species, genera, or families that actively influence Earth’s surface. These “natural engineers” range from tiny insects to large mammals. The study underscores that animals play a vital role in geomorphic processes. Often in ways unseen, they create the environments we rely on for survival.
FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS: THE POWERHOUSES OF GEOMORPHIC ACTIVITY
Although freshwater ecosystems cover just 2.4% of the Earth’s surface, they support over a third of the animal species that shape landscapes. From ants burrowing through soil to beavers building wetlands, these creatures engineer environments that influence water flow, soil structure, and vegetation.
THE ENERGY CONTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS: COMPARABLE TO FLOODS
The study estimates that animals contribute at least 76,000 gigajoules of energy annually to Earth’s surface processes. This output is comparable to the energy released by hundreds of thousands of major floods. Given the knowledge gaps in biodiversity-rich regions like the tropics, this estimate may be an understatement.
FASCINATING EXAMPLES OF ANIMAL ENGINEERING
The impact of these creatures is as diverse as it is remarkable. Termites, for example, construct vast networks of mounds in Brazil, covering thousands of square kilometers. Meanwhile, salmon spawning can shift as much sediment as annual floods. Even ants, through their constant and tiny actions, alter soil structure, contributing to drainage patterns and the landscape’s overall health.
WHY THIS STUDY MATTERS: PROTECTING THE ARCHITECTS OF OUR PLANET
Professor Harvey emphasizes the importance of recognizing the role of animals in landscape formation: “This research shows that the role of animals in shaping Earth’s landscapes is much more significant. It is even more significant than previously recognized. From beavers creating wetlands to ants building mounds of soil, these natural processes are diverse and crucial. We risk losing them as biodiversity declines.”
BIODIVERSITY LOSS COULD DISRUPT CRITICAL LANDSCAPE PROCESSES
The study also highlights a worrying trend—nearly 30% of the species identified are rare, endemic, or threatened. The loss of these species could halt critical geomorphic processes before their full importance is understood. Such a decline would have profound consequences for the ecosystems and landscapes that depend on these natural engineers.
This study brings new light to the underappreciated role of animals in shaping Earth’s surface. As biodiversity declines, the loss of these species threatens the landscapes they create and maintain. To safeguard ecosystems, we must recognize the critical contributions of these natural engineers. We must also work to protect the biodiversity that sustains them.
