Animals Shape Earth's Landscapes

How Wildlife Impacts the Planet's Surface

Digging, grazing, and burrowing can cause landslides, break down rocks, and shape ecosystems.

Animals aren't just passive observers in the world around them. They actively shape landscapes, from the mountains they climb to the forests they inhabit. And their impact on the planet's surface is far greater than you might think.

For instance, animals that walk on rocks can cause landslides by disturbing the rock's surface. Burrowing animals move rocks and aid in their breakdown. And microorganisms play a pivotal yet overlooked role in soil formation and erosion.

In fact, after a century of research, Earth scientists have concluded that root growth and animal activity can create new landforms and even alter the course of rivers.

So, the next time you see an animal, take a moment to appreciate its role in the ecosystem. It may be doing more than you think.