Everyone scavenges: From pole to equator, nature's recyclers perform a widespread and largely unheralded service

A groundbreaking study in Kluane, Yukonreveals that scavenging is far more widespread and ecologically significant than previously recognized. Researchers documented 24 species, including Canada jays, common ravens, red squirrels, and golden eagles, feeding on snowshoe hare carcasses, challenging the notion that only traditional scavengers like wolverines or vultures play this role. The study used camera traps to observe scavenging behavior across seasons, finding that winter persistence of carcasses supports a higher diversity of scavengers due to slower decomposition. The research underscores the critical but often overlooked role of scavenging in nutrient recycling and food web dynamics, with implications for ecosystems globally. It also highlights the importance of keystone species like snowshoe hares in sustaining scavenger communities.

Dybas, C. L. (2024). Everyone scavenges: From pole to equator, nature’s recyclers perform a widespread and largely unheralded service. BioScience, 74(8), 500–506. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biae030