In 2005, scientists began reshaping an Inner Mongolia grassland; years later, plant-eating insects emerged as its strongest biological buffer

• Herbivore species dynamics is key to grassland food web stabilityIn 2005, scientists began reshaping a semi-arid grassland in Inner Mongolia by changing its mix of plants.
• Years later, when researchers checked how the local food chain held together, plant-eating insects emerged as its strongest biological buffer.
• The long-term study, published on 18 July in the Journal of Animal Ecology, shows that plant-eating species act as a main stabilizer for the entire ecosystem.