Briefing: Animals are powerful landscape engineers shaping the Earth's surface, global study finds

According to a global study published on March 30, 2026, wild animals function as natural landscape engineers, influencing the physical structure of ecosystems.

Their behaviors, including burrowing, feeding, and shelter construction, facilitate the movement of soil and sediment, which is critical for ecosystem health.

This research underscores the importance of wildlife in maintaining ecological balance and the potential implications for habitat management and conservation strategies.