Large mammal declines reshape nutrient flows in African savannas—with consequences for tadpoles

A new study led by researchers from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin reveals how the loss of large mammals can ripple through ecosystems in unexpected ways, even affecting amphibian larvae living in temporary ponds. By examining changes in nutrient dynamics over more than two decades, the researchers show that declines in large herbivores are associated with a system-wide reduction in nitrogen isotope values in aquatic habitats, highlighting how disruptions in terrestrial wildlife populations can cascade across ecosystem boundaries.