Researchers at Kansas State University say decades of research on the Great American Bison show just how beneficial the animal was to the Great Plains.
They found the reintroduction of bison to the prairies gradually doubled plant diversity in the area versus areas that did not have large grazers, and that it also improved resilience to extreme drought.
This was previously unknown because the removal of bison from the prairies happened before quantitative record keeping.
Related:
The Great American Bison is making a comeback
U.S. agency to look at bringing back bison to Montana refuge
Want to add some healthy and flavorful additions to your diet? Try bison!