Animals as Earth’s architects: The first global study reveals their stunning effects

Major insights from studies:

• Unexpected variety: Beyond reputed examples such as beaver and salmon, the study identifies hundreds of species – including insects, mammals, fish, birds, and reptiles – which shape the landscape in remarkable ways.
• Ecosystems of freshwater in the focus: Despite covering just 2.4% of the planet’s surface, freshwater houses host more than one third of these notable species.
• Impressive energy production: Animals contribute at least 76,000 gigazoule energy annually to shape the Earth’s surface collectively – a figure compared to hundreds of thousands of extreme floods. This estimate is conservative, as significant knowledge gaps exist, especially in tropical and subtropical regions where biodiversity is highest but research is limited.
• Attractive examples: Termites construct a huge network of mounds in Brazil, covering a few thousands of square kilometers, while salmon sponing can transfer more sediments in the form of annual floods. Even ants, through their small but countless functions, change the soil structure and drainage.