Wild Things 2025

The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis proposes that randomly determined disturbance events of medium frequency and intensity often result in maximum biodiversity on the landscape scale. Biodiversity and ecosystem stability can be influenced by ecological trajectories such as succession and retrogression, where ecological disturbances shape plant community composition and structure, as well as wildlife habitat.  In northern Illinois, case studies can be observed at well-developed restoration projects such as The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands where bison have been introduced as a keystone species. By utilizing applied science based on principles of the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, a better understanding of effective stewardship protocols using adaptive management can be developed and adopted across the region.