The importance of buffalo and bison for the ecosystem

The importance of buffalo and bison for the ecosystem

Large herbivores as landscape engineers DREVO Living Mountains

Concept

Water buffalo and European bison are capable of performing a similar general function: preventing a diverse landscape from turning into a homogeneous thicket.

However, they operate in different ecological spaces:

water buffaloforms wet meadows, shallow waters, floodplains and swampy transition zones;

European bisonsupports forest clearings, sparse forests, shrub transitions and a mosaic structure of the forest landscape.

Both species are large herbivores, influencing their territory not only by eating plants, but also by:

trampling;

movement of seeds;

transfer of nutrients;

creation of trails;

formation of mud baths;

damage to individual bushes and young trees;

creation of open ground areas;

support of insects, birds and predators.

The main principle:

A large herbivore is useful not by itself, but as part of a large, connected landscape with properly limited numbers.

1. The main difference

2. The meaning of water buffaloes

Control of coarse marsh vegetation

Buffalo are able to utilize vegetation that is less readily eaten by regular cattle:

coarse herbs;

sedges;

reed shoots;

marsh grass;

vegetation of wet meadows.

This helps prevent the formation of continuous, tall thickets.

The buffalo shouldn't completely destroy the reeds or sedges. Its purpose is to create a rotation:

open areas;

low vegetation;

high vegetation;

mud depressions;

water;

dry islets.

In Thailand's traditional wetland grazing system, buffalo are seen as a provider of ecosystem services: they maintain biodiversity and landscapes, participate in nutrient cycling, and reduce fire hazard.

3. Creating open windows in swamps

Without grazing, some restored wetlands gradually become homogeneous:

overgrown with reeds;

covered with dense, tall grass;

lose open shallow waters;

become less suitable for some birds and amphibians.

Buffalo:

eat away vegetation;

trample narrow passages;

create small open windows;

support the transition between water and wet meadow;

prevent some shallow waters from becoming completely overgrown.

These changes may create space for:

waders;

ducks;

frogs;

tritone;

dragonflies;

water beetles;

light-loving plants.

4. Buffalo Mud Baths

Water buffalo regularly use water and mud to cool themselves.

Their baths form small depressions, which can:

temporarily retain water;

serve as a breeding ground for individual invertebrates;

maintain moisture during drought;

create open ground;

increase microrelief.

But with an excessive concentration of animals, the bathing area turns into:

contaminated pit;

source of turbidity;

coastal destruction zone;

place of accumulation of manure;

eutrophication center.

Therefore, natural baths are distributed throughout the territory, and access to small clean bodies of water is limited.

5. Firefighting function of buffaloes

In wet meadows and on the outskirts of swamps, buffaloes reduce:

tall dry grass;

part of dead vegetation;

continuity of the surface combustible layer.

This may reduce the likelihood of a ground fire spreading rapidly.

They are especially useful:

in floodplains with seasonal drying;

on the outskirts of reed beds;

in buffer zones between swamps and agricultural lands;

in damp fire corridors.

However, buffalo doesn't solve the peat fire problem. Restoring stable water levels remains the primary defense for peat.

6. Transfer of seeds and organisms by buffaloes

Seeds are spread:

on wool;

in the mud on the hooves;

through the digestive tract;

along with the movement of animals between sectors.

In this way, buffaloes connect different parts of the wet landscape.

But this same process is capable of spreading:

invasive plants;

parasites;

pathogens.

Before moving animals between watersheds, the following is necessary:

veterinary inspection;

cleaning of vehicles;

control of plant material on wool and hooves;

quarantine if necessary.

7. Buffalo manure

Manure provides food and habitat for:

dung beetles;

very;

bacteria;

mushrooms;

soil fauna;

insectivorous birds.

It returns nutrients to the system.

However, excess manure near water causes:

increase in nitrogen and phosphorus;

water bloom;

decreased oxygen;

sanitary pollution;

changes in plant communities.

Therefore, resting, feeding and watering places must be regularly moved.

8. Where are buffaloes most useful?

Recommended areas:

large restored floodplains;

wet meadows;

former drained lowland swamps;

overgrown shallows;

periphery of reed beds;

seasonally flooded pastures;

wetland agricultural lands;

paludicultural areas;

large wetland natural parks.

Not suitable:

spring swamps;

small clean bodies of water;

valuable natural peat cores;

areas of rare plants;

soft unstable banks;

breeding grounds for sensitive amphibians;

small bird islands;

drinking water intake zones.

9. The importance of the European bison

The European bison is Europe's largest land mammal and an important component in the restoration of large natural landscapes.

Historically, the bison was almost completely exterminated, and its current recovery is the result of international breeding and reintroduction programs. The IUCN emphasizes the need to establish free-living, viable populations and preserve genetic diversity.

The bison is not a purely forest animal. It requires a mosaic:

forests;

meadows;

sparse forest;

shrubs;

river valleys;

open feeding areas.

Restricting bison to dense forests can lead to food shortages, especially in winter. The IUCN notes the importance of open meadows for the nutritional needs of restored populations.

10. Bison as the creator of the forest mosaic

The bison affects vegetation in several ways:

grazes grass;

eats leaves and shoots;

breaks bushes;

strips the bark of individual trees;

tramples vegetation;

creates trails;

arranges dust and mud baths;

transfers seeds.

Thanks to this, alternation is formed:

dense forest;

sparse forest;

glade;

shrubs;

open ground areas;

young thickets;

old trees.

This spatial diversity typically supports more species than a homogeneous closed forest.

Bison are considered key landscape engineers: their grazing, browsing, trampling, bathing, and damage to woody vegetation help form a dynamic mosaic of meadows and forests.

11. Maintaining forest clearings

Without large herbivores, forest clearings gradually:

overgrown with tall grass;

covered with bushes;

turn into a young forest;

light-loving plants are losing their light;

become less suitable for pollinators and birds of open habitats.

Bison help maintain meadows through:

grazing;

trampling;

eating young shoots;

regular movement through the same areas.

Glades are necessary for:

flowering herbs;

butterflies;

wild bees;

land birds;

reptiles;

hunting of birds of prey;

feeding the bison themselves.

12. Impact on shrubs and undergrowth

Bisons are able to partially suppress:

shrub growth;

excessively dense young forest;

monopolistic regeneration of individual tree species.

This can support structural diversity.

But when their numbers are high, they can:

destroy natural growth;

damage rare trees;

peel the bark;

hinder forest restoration;

concentrate at feeding sites.

Therefore, it is not the maximum number of bison that is needed, but a number compatible with forest restoration.

13. Baths and open soil

Bisons create dust and mud baths.

These small areas of open ground can support:

annual plants;

insects of open soils;

reptiles;

burrowing invertebrates;

germination of some seeds.

They also increase the diversity of microrelief.

If swimming spots are concentrated near a single body of water or feeding point, the impact can be devastating. Therefore, artificial feeding should be minimized.

14. Transfer of seeds by bison

The large body size and thick fur allow the bison to carry a significant amount of seeds.

The seeds move:

on wool;

in clods of soil;

through the digestive system;

along a network of trails.

Bison can link plant communities:

forest glades;

meadows;

river valleys;

shrub areas;

mountain crossings.

To achieve this, the population must be able to move freely across a large, connected landscape.

15. Bison dung

Bison manure supports:

dung beetles;

fly larvae;

mushrooms;

bacteria;

birds;

small predators.

Thus, the bison creates an entire food subsystem.

Through manure, nutrients are transferred between:

feeding places;

forest;

glades;

places of rest;

water valleys.

The use of veterinary drugs in animals in temporary housing programs should take into account the impact on manure fauna.

16. Impact on fire resistance

Bison can reduce the amount of herbaceous and shrub biomass in certain areas.

This contributes to:

formation of gaps in the combustible cover;

preservation of open fields;

reducing the continuity of shrubs;

maintaining moist feeding areas.

Natural grazing by large herbivores is seen as a process that can prevent overgrowth and reduce the risk of catastrophic fires in some landscapes.

However, bison do not replace the fire protection system, especially in coniferous forests and arid regions.

17. Bisons and predators

In sufficiently large natural systems, bison are part of the food web.

An adult healthy bison has few natural enemies, but:

young;

sick animals;

weakened individuals;

carrion

can support:

wolves;

bears;

scavengers;

ravens;

insects;

microorganisms.

The carcass of a naturally dead large animal becomes an important temporary center of biodiversity.

This is only possible in a natural core, where sanitary and veterinary requirements allow the carrion to be left behind.

18. Where can bison be used in DREVO Living Mountains?

Suitable areas:

large forest areas;

middle and lower wooded slopes;

wide intermountain valleys;

forest-steppe complexes;

large floodplain forests;

sparse forests;

national parks;

transboundary environmental corridors;

wildlife restoration areas.

Not suitable:

small fenced areas;

intensive agricultural zones;

young forest plantations;

steep scree upper slopes;

densely populated valleys;

small swamp pilots;

areas without a year-round food supply;

areas without the possibility of migration.

19. Buffalo and bison are not interchangeable

Buffalo

Works better:

in water;

on soft, damp vegetation;

in the floodplain;

on a seasonally heated meadow;

in the reed-sedge mosaic.

Bison

Works better:

in the forest mosaic;

in meadows;

in sparse forests;

in the transition between the forest and the meadow;

in a large interconnected landscape.

They can be used in one large system, but in different zones.

20. Joint landscape model

Distribution example:

Wet floodplain core

No large pets or very limited access.

Wet meadows

Controlled water buffaloes.

Seasonally heated periphery

Buffalo, stable cattle and wild birds.

Floodplain forest

Limited access for bison within a large free-ranging population.

Middle forested slopes

Bison, deer and other local herbivores.

Upper slopes

Predominantly mountain ungulates; bison are found only on wide, stable plateaus and in suitable natural regions.

21. Wild and Domestic Management Model

Buffalo

Managed via:

shepherds;

mobile fencing;

GPS collars;

rotation;

mobile watering places;

night pens;

veterinary control.

Bison

Managed via:

protected areas;

ecological corridors;

population monitoring;

genetic control;

conflict prevention;

compensation for damages;

minimal artificial feeding;

scientifically based resettlements.

The bison should not be turned into a semi-domestic tourist object, constantly dependent on feeding troughs.

22. Main risks of buffaloes

destruction of soft banks;

compaction of wet soil;

water pollution;

destruction of rare plants;

spread of diseases;

overeating;

degradation of the area around watering holes;

nutrient emissions;

conflict with wild waterfowl.

Global reviews highlight that the impact of introduced or poorly managed ungulates on wetlands can be both positive and negative, depending on density, duration, and hydrological conditions.

23. Main risks for bison

grazing of forest undergrowth;

bark damage;

access to agricultural fields;

road collisions;

conflicts with the population;

lack of open feeding areas;

genetic limitations of small isolated herds;

spread of diseases;

excessive dependence on winter feeding;

concentration of animals in one place.

Therefore, the program requires large, connected areas and a long-term conservation strategy.

24. Buffalo monitoring

Controlled by:

area of ​​vegetation eaten away;

proportion of open water;

state of the banks;

turbidity;

nitrogen and phosphorus;

damage to peat;

number of birds and amphibians;

location of animals;

accumulation of manure;

hoof condition;

veterinary indicators.

25. Bison monitoring

Controlled by:

number;

age structure;

genetic diversity;

routes of movement;

condition of grassy meadows;

damage to undergrowth;

condition of trees;

interaction with other ungulates;

conflicts with agriculture;

mortality;

diseases;

dependence on feeding.

26. Living Mountain Observatory

The unified system uses:

GPS collars;

camera trap;

acoustic stations;

satellite imagery;

TREVO AeroSense Drone;

vegetation analysis;

eDNA analysis;

water sensors;

Mountain Digital Twin;

field surveys.

DREVO AI evaluates not only the number of animals, but also their actual impact on:

forest;

water;

soil;

vegetation;

fire risk;

agriculture;

biodiversity.

27. Criteria for the positive impact of buffaloes

Buffaloes are useful if:

the vegetation cover is preserved;

windows of open water appear;

peat is not destroyed;

water pollution does not increase;

the diversity of birds and amphibians increases;

continuous tall grass stand is reduced;

no-grazing zones are maintained;

the area is restored after each cycle.

28. Criteria for the positive impact of bison

Bisons are useful if:

forest clearings are preserved;

a mosaic of forest and meadow is formed;

the tree undergrowth does not disappear;

old trees are preserved;

the diversity of plants and insects increases;

the population is able to live without constant feeding;

there are free routes of movement;

damage to agriculture remains manageable;

the genetic viability of the herd is maintained.

29. What not to do

The following is not allowed:

release buffalo into a small natural swamp without rotation;

use buffalo on valuable peatlands;

allow the herd to constantly remain near one body of water;

release bison like ordinary livestock;

create a small isolated herd without a genetic plan;

constantly feeding bison for the sake of tourists;

to populate an area without open feeding areas with bison;

release large herbivores until vegetation is restored;

judge success only by the number of animals;

ignore the impact on undergrowth, soil and water quality;

mixing conservation reintroduction with commercial livestock farming.

30. Recommended model DREVO

Water buffalo

Status:

controlled restorative and economic type.

Main zones:

restored floodplains;

wet meadows;

the periphery will be;

paludic culture;

fire-resistant damp corridors.

European bison

Status:

wild key species of a large landscape.

Main zones:

large forest areas;

sparse forests;

forest glades;

valleys;

ecological corridors;

natural parks.

Mission

Water buffalo and European bison represent two different recovery directions.

The buffalo helps humans manage wetlands:

maintains open, wetland meadows;

controls coarse vegetation;

creates a shallow water mosaic;

reduces part of the fire load;

connects nature restoration with agriculture.

The bison restores natural dynamics to the forest landscape:

opens up clearings;

inhibits overgrowth;

carries seeds;

creates baths and paths;

supports dung insects;

connects the forest, meadow and shrub transitions.

The buffalo is the controlled engineer of the wet landscape, and the bison is the wild engineer of the large forest landscape.

Their value lies not in their maximum numbers, but in their ability to maintain spatial diversity, without which the floodplain turns into a homogeneous thicket, and the forest into a closed and poorly structured massif.