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Commentary: University of Minnesota research shows predators play irreplaceable role in ecosystems

New University of Minnesota research looks at the wide-ranging role that predators play in ecosystems. (Stock photo)

New University of Minnesota research, recently published in Oikos Journal, shows that predators play a unique and important role in ecosystems by creating “ecological hot spots” – localized areas important for plants and animals.
Traditionally, predators have largely been thought to affect ecosystems only when they reduce the number of prey through predation, or change the behavior of prey by instilling fear.

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