Scavengers play overlooked role in wetlands

Scavengers may not be the most iconic species in wetlands, but researchers found they play an important role in these vital ecosystems around the world.

In a study published in Biological Reviews, researchers analyzed more than 200 scientific articles conducted worldwide over the past 60 years. They found that, although scavengers are often overlooked in wetlands, they perform important ecosystem services, including nutrient recycling, water quality regulation, and pathogen control.

“It will be important to increase our knowledge on scavengers in aquatic ecosystems to understand their current roles, and the roles they may play in the future under global change,” the authors found.

Read the study in Biological Reviews.