Large animals like bison play an important role in shaping ecosystems, but their full impact is often unknown because they’ve disappeared from many places. This study looked at what happens when bison are brought back to the tallgrass prairie.

Researchers found that areas with bison had twice as many plant species compared to areas with cattle. These more diverse plant communities also stayed strong during a major drought and had fewer invasive species. The findings suggest that many grasslands today have less plant life than they did before bison were removed, and that bringing back native animals like bison could help restore the health and diversity of these landscapes.