The Surprising Species That Everything Else Depends On | IN OUR NATURE

“In Our Nature” is a NEW special limited series on It’s Okay To Be Smart!
SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss the next episode! ►► bit.ly/iotbs_sub
↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓
Seemingly distant ecosystems, even half a world apart, are connected in surprising ways. In this special limited series, Emily Graslie and Trace Dominguez join me as we explore the universal rules of life that tie together Earth’s living systems. In episode 1, we travel from Africa’s Serengeti plains to the nearly extinct prairies of the western United States to discover the unexpected species that determine the very existence of these places. Can an ecosystem survive without its keystone species? And can we restore endangered human cultures by bringing back a nearly-extinct ecosystem?
Co-hosted by:
Trace Dominguez @TraceDominguez
Emily Graslie @EmilyGraslie
References: sites.google.com/view/inourna...
In Our Nature is a special miniseries produced by It’s Okay To Be Smart for PBS. Stay tuned for more episodes coming this summer, here on our KZbin channel!
Original Production Funding provided by: Anne Ray Foundation, a Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropy
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[@EmilyGraslie]

I'm SO excited to be a part of this series!! I think you're really going to love it, too :)

[@besmart]

It's so great! Thank you for being a part of it, friend!

[@osmia]

Just want to wave hi :-)

[@EmilyGraslie]

@@osmia 👋🏻

[@bambufan3636]

... It still has brains on it.

[@longline]

You're not allowed to have favourites, sure. But you're my favourite. Don't tell anyone.

[@shesh2265]

buffalo footsteps holding water for birds has got to be the cutest thing ive ever heard

[@Mindseas]

Right?! I definitely 'aww'ed at that 😍

[@daviddavids2884]

hoofprints

[@Jesse__H]

"This, the one world we belong to, where everything, sooner or later, is part of everything else." -Emily Oliver

[@timan2039]

All is stardust

[@feosty5526]

@@timan2039 humanity and nature are quite irrelevant for the universe Unless humanity becomes really advanced in technology

[@prvashisht]

This is not a video, it's a documentary. High quality, for free. Thanks a ton for the hard work on this !

[@edwardokeyoobala380]

This explains why the wildebeest went for Simba, they had just learnt the circle of life is bs and they are the actual kings

[@theworldofchachundar5628]

Workers Revolution

[@miriamrosemary9110]

Yesss - they will be crushed beneath our millions of hooves!

[@w_ldan]

"Wildebeest Society and it's Future by Theodore John Kaczynski"

[@nunyabiznes33]

We must seize the seeds of propagation!

[@robertunderwood1011]

@@w_ldan naughty, naughty.

[@daniellaytonmusic9865]

That guide has THE most calming voice ever

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

Look for videos by “cold fusion” he has a super calming voice. He could be describing nuclear apocalypse and you’d be like I’ma take a nap now lol

[@elizabethburns-gundel1052]

I am a teacher at a school whose mascot is a wolf because when wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, they literally changed the course of the river with their impact on the other species there. So excited to see more stories like this one!

[@shadowknightgladstay4856]

I'm sure the wolves changed the river.

[@nessfinesse3195]

@@shadowknightgladstay4856 They did! Due to the absence of wolves in Yellowstone, elk populations exploded with no predators to keep them at bay, and therefore many trees didn't grow as tall or were simply diminished. When the wolves came back, so did the populations of trees because they forced elk to move and not deplete the resources in one area completely. The trees along riverbanks, with their roots ingrained into the soil, stabilized it, which caused the rivers to meander less due to less erosion, and so, the course of the river was altered.

[@karmaalstad5588]

Beavers help and depend on wolves to thin the herds and make more fertile grasslands.

[@htxmatt]

The last part is so important to remember. When we see places that seem to be untouched by humans, the reality is often that humans have been there playing their part in the ecosystem as well. It’s the recent removal of those humans that has altered not only the ecosystem but also our perceived history of the place.

[@andrewd7112]

Very true! Many areas of the Amazon basin weren't a wild forest as much as a cultivated garden maintained by the indigenous peoples living there.

[@sonikku956]

Australia suffered a similar fate.

[@b1oh1]

My only problem with the way that information was delivered, I think it was touched on too briefly. Too many humans believe in some sort of manifest destiny where the land and all the creatures on it are ours to cultivate. What should be taught...ad nauseum...is that we're all on this pale blue dot together.

[@renarddubois940]

when ppl pretend they're part of nature, it's not a neutral, technical, factual claim and it's not an inspiring and beautiful message about us being their cousins and having to respect them either.. It is rather a way to erase the wild, erase chaos and anarchy and bring about an order, a human order, it's invading wild space and making them our own.. it's taking away wild agency and controlling everything, it's deciding for them what is better for them whether it is more biodiversity or more biomass or more of one less of the other, or a less painful death or whatever it is we decide, we define, we conceptualize as good or bad based on OUR sensibilities and OUR interests..

[@MichaelThompson-ux6nn]

@@renarddubois940 yeah thats the human condition we as a species have so far beyond what nature seems to have intended for natural balance that we don't know how to return to it.

[@TraceDominguez]

I’m so pumped that this series has finally started and to get to present one of my second stories next time! Emily and I trade off each episode which made this whole project so much more fun and dynamic; we all got to learn something new each episode!

[@PeppoMusic]

Will all be uploaded on this channel or individually? Looking forward to seeing the rest! Though it did feel a bit fake and acted for my sensibilities, I really did enjoy the information and lovely footage.

[@TraceDominguez]

@@PeppoMusic All the episodes will be uploaded here! Some of the acting was a lil’ fake, but some of it was real and we are just awkward. We get better moving forward, trust me!

[@brittneybo8598]

​@@TraceDominguez wow I missed u its been a long time since ive seen u in videos where ya been i legitly just subbed to this channel. feels like an old friend I havent seen in a long time btw I know ur wondering im doing well friend

[@xkcd000]

After so looooooong

[@ranjaxwolf9725]

@Trace Dominguez, you vanished from my subscribed YT channels some time ago, where have you been and been up to? Why did you leave D news etc? You just vanished

[@whenitsraining861]

Joe Hanson, I might have a little request. I come from the country with the largest mangrove forest in the world, the Sundarbans. I find them very interesting, and I would love to see you mention about this topic in one of your videos.

[@waahmed7830]

বাংলাদেশ নাকি ভারত?

[@sabrinashamme9419]

বাংলাদেশ ?

[@raraavis7782]

I admit, I had to google that, to even know what it was...but it sounds like a fascinating biotop.

[@srutiranjantarai5069]

yaa it would be a nice topic

[@srutiranjantarai5069]

even being there i don't know much of its facts

[@theblakeslees7065]

It’s interesting to see how people usually think of themselves as separate from the system/s they are observing instead or thinking of themselves as part of the whole

[@sinkler123]

True. My personal observation is that several popular religions cemented this behavior and flawed thinking in their followers. The notorious "The world and everything in it was made by god for me to consume and exploit" statement is common in such religions.

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

@@sinkler123 except for the fact that humans stand above nature

[@redpanda6497]

@@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl Except that's what _we_ think.

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

@@redpanda6497 except we do we almost destroyed all life on earth multiple times in the cold war and we wiped out several species and ecosystems with out us even noticing no other species is able to do that

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

@Indervir Singh bro is nothing compared to most desises in human history in fact it is quite pathetic compared to the Spanish flu for example, second l said we stand above nature not untouchable we get devastated by nature all the time much of that our fault it doesn't change the fact that the entire ecosystem of the earth is dependent on our lack of stupidity in a way that no species in the history of the earth have been able to do

[@TexRenner]

"The documentary, Lion King." is one of the best lines ever.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Aloha. I thought this channel's comment-section/s, if any place, would have smarteristic and smarttastic people. So i wanted to ask your opinion of a Project of mine, trying to help youtube help itself - getting it to become less of what can only be described as 'Messy' without wanting to use hard swearing... P0rn, Racism, Sexism, Scam, Spam-Bots, P0rn-Spam-Bots and much more. Oh, and of course the new Kid in Town: The Covid-Denier/Mask-Hater. All of them are non-subtle (some more than others) and therefore easy to find. I used the reportbutton as it was originally intended; not as Cancel-Culture but to help. Just this week, i got 1 Covid-Denier-Channel (yes, the entire thing, not just 1 video) and 2 Open Racists (Users, not KZbinrs) removed. And this feels good. No, its not a 'Wonder-Miracle-Solution!!', but who needs that? Do you need that? Yet, i feel confident about this enough to ask: Wanna join the Fun? The helping? Both? Sorry for the long comment and sorry there is no Miracle-Hyper-Super-Solution, but hey, its cost-free and totally-your-own-time-schedule, as well as just plain fun, so i hope such Package is good enough for you. Smart is in this channel's name, after all, so i hope you at least consider helping KZbin and the Internet... cause it sure as fluff could need the help, tbh...

[@Sara3346]

@@loturzelrestaurant Smartastic is not a recognized word, perhaps you are looking for intelligent?

[@mbzmbs9569]

@@loturzelrestaurant Racist people have a set of beliefs, most of which are older people. People who deny covid lack a basic understanding of chemistry or have a fundamental fear of the government. === Example: People who think black people are stupid often base their beliefs on the uneducated people in certain African countries while ignoring African-Americans. Example 2: People who deny covid often have a low understanding of how vaccines work or how chemistry works. They also believe the government is out to get them [Mostly Americans -- The past not helping either]. === Getting rid of racism is impossible, but only time will tell. Getting rid of ant-vaxxers is a matter of ignorance and pride, very difficult.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

@@mbzmbs9569 Yes. But calling people dumb will also not 'convince' them, so what can we 'really' do? For that topic, so we can discuss this: Can you watch the video of ‚Illuminaughtii’ named ‚ What is The Flat Earth Society? Corporate Casket’ fully and till the end and then tell me your honest opinion, especially about the end-thoughts?

[@loturzelrestaurant]

@@Sara3346 Sara, it's been 2 months since you made an embarassing comment. Did you enjoy your 'Out-Time'? Have you become better?

[@richardlandrum1966]

I'm sensing a theme: the antagonist is grass.

[@dundee6402]

The human species was born out of rainforests turning into savannas so it totally is.

[@shaninejackman9395]

I kinda thought humans were the antagonists

[@malharvarpe6666]

NICE JOKE ANT-AGONIST CUZ ANTS EAT GRASS

[@jarnsaxa5640]

@@dundee6402 Without grass lands we wouldn't exist.

[@spycrab3723]

i'm burning my lawn

[@thomasbui6175]

I hope there's an episode on the wolves that changed the rivers. Ik there's a Nat Geo on this, but it's worth having another episode.

[@tiacho2893]

I think it was Emily (though not sure) that did a video on beavers and their affect on water flow in the NA continent. The landscape now is completely different without millions of beavers felling trees and making dams. The whole ecology is affected by water flow.

[@axeljosefuenmayorbriceno2228]

@@tiacho2893 if someone knows the name of that video please tell me

[@tiacho2893]

@@axeljosefuenmayorbriceno2228 Joe did a video for "It's Okay to be Smart" on the subject. I think Emily mentioned it when she did a video on a beaver diorama. I'm probably mixing together a bunch of separate sources in my head along with some of my uni bio courses. But here's Joe's video that is a short primer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ6ZiWptiM17l5o

[@axeljosefuenmayorbriceno2228]

@@tiacho2893 thank you

[@mayeezy254]

it was on yellowstone, I think I saw it

[@annabellealpar5285]

The part about the bison made me tear up. The history is sad and the current situation brings such a beautiful glimmer of hope

[@hanaoshimapiano]

I'm a huge prairie enthusiast, so I was so happy to see you included this ecosystem in this video. People need to know more about these beautiful prairies and the biodiversity they support from insects, spiders, birds, as well as elk and like you mentioned - bison. If you have a prairie in your area please consider visiting! Mid mornings and early evenings are the best times to enjoy it's beauty.

[@wildsideofthings7733]

I grew up in the Canadian praries, so it holds a special and nostalgic spot in my heart

[@kennytvn]

This is what I love about these kind of educational channels; there’s absolutely no way I would have watched such a documentary on tv or anywhere else, just because these videos are so well made and entertaining to watch

[@JellyAntz]

True education being gained

[@MedlifeCrisis]

I'm doing that annoying thing where I comment before watching but damn, three of my favourite science communicators in one video!!! So excited to see this series!

[@ABoxIsMyHome]

Nobody knows you posted early after awhile because the time is rounded to hours / days

[@chainyrabbit]

Wasnt expecting to see you here

[@deathrobloxian]

Given that this comment is only 3 hours after the release of the vid, there's time to watch the vid and then comment.

[@ivanpaulomariano6430]

This is the third time i saw your comment in 3 different youtube video.The first i think is a music video maybe pearl jam

[@Heisenberg612]

what's up checkmark

[@cantbeleveitsnotnaru]

I'm so here for this series!! Looking at things holistically, people, animals, plants, history.

[@carmineknight9123]

This is a fantastic presentation on something that is literally impossible to overstate the importance of.

[@daviddavids2884]

fyi. 'something that is literally impossible to overstate' this is a FAIL. 'the importance of'. at the end of a sentence, this is called a dangling participle.!

[@andybearchan]

So moving. Bison can be super dangerous. Reminds me of native Hawaiian traditions. The sea is the source of everything, but you don't turn your back on it.

[@helene8854]

For clarification: Rinderpest is a German word and it literally means cattle black death, for anyone wondering, though the term can be expanded to meand something like bovine black death.

[@kennethwepiaakibate8724]

I've been watching you for years and this is by far my favourite video ever. We, as a society, seem to have the understanding that nature is separate from us and somehow inconsequential but it really is not. We have a role in every ecosystem and it affects our cultures too and vice versa. I can't example how much join it gave me seeing the Sioux people in South Dakota claim part of their cultural identity back with the reintroduction of the bison

[@ipsygypsy16]

The small hill of bison skeletons almost gave me goosebumps. There's absolutely No End to the devastation humans can cause. Wow. Sometimes I do wonder how it is to be a non-human species in our world!

[@jge123]

Imagine living in Hell with demons running all over the place, restraining, controlling, ready to hurt or eat you, not having one moment of peace because they’re so many that there’s always one lurking.

[@marcelabraga8119]

@@jge123 Yeap, this place exists right here on Earth, 2021. Just go to any country below the Equador line, I can assure you that it might happen in your country too, but you can only see it, if you're willing to go outside of your bubble and see it. And all the miserable life and suffering happening here are not caused by any sort of beast or wild animal, but human beings.

[@robertunderwood1011]

@@marcelabraga8119 just SOME human beings. They are called Republicans.

[@toesucker863]

@@robertunderwood1011 jew

[@renarddubois940]

@@robertunderwood1011 yes, all human beings, all of them.. the left isn't really as much of an ally to the poorest living beings on this planet as the core fundamental philosophy of the left would allow us to believe.. let's not forget that the left just care about humans' interests.. for the left rewilding is eco fascism and misanthropy.. Even the most progressive population on the left, with the most political and philosophical education is guilty of ignoring the global context of human hegemony when discussing issues of so called agression of human by non humans, self defense rights (for humans only of course) and more precisely when it revolves around having to eat (mass genocide due to pesticides and of course the classic predation) or having to receive a treatment for something (vaccines, hormone therapy).. sur right wing ppl are worst but left wing ppl, even the kindest, most inclusive, best educated, most progressive are still absolute nazis when it comes to anything that isn't human..

[@BeingTheHunt]

The Earth is like an organism, each species an organ. If one organ fails it affects the whole.

[@Highonwater3X]

I just wanted to say that I absolutely loved where this video went and how it looks like it's going to progress in future episodes. At the beginning, I thought it was gonna be just a little discussion about ecosystems and some jokes thrown around, but then it really developed into something incredibly special when discussing the history of the bison and rebuilding the prairie. I actually started to tear up when you were discussing the reintegration efforts with members of the Intertribal Buffalo Council. I am so happy to share the planet with such wonderful people who understand that we aren't separate from nature just because of our "fancy" technology. We need more people like the members of ITBC, like you, and like Jahawi in the world. Now I'm gonna go wash my face because I was not expecting to get so emotional at this episode!

[@betho8803]

I’ve watched your channel for about a year now but never commented, this was an amazing and educational video. I hope more people see it and understand that we need to protect the gifts nature has given to us

[@EasterWitch]

Yes, of course the first thing Emily mentions when thinking of the Serengeti would be dung beetles.

[@EmilyGraslie]

they're sort of blocked by my head, but there are a few dung-beetle related things on the bookshelf behind me! I freakin' love dung beetles!!

[@EasterWitch]

@@EmilyGraslie Yes, they are super cool! (for the record, the first thing that popped into my head was vultures)

[@NewMessage]

Haven't seen Emily in a while.. good to see she's doin' well!

[@EmilyGraslie]

Hello! 👋👋 I've been over here, working with Joe and Trace on this new series! :) Can't wait for y'all to see the rest!

[@balthiersgirl2658]

@@EmilyGraslie it is really great to see you

[@avalanchas336]

@@EmilyGraslieso cool to see you! #bringBackTheGrossOMeter

[@eaterdrinker000]

@@EmilyGraslie : Hi there, you don't know me, but I'm glad to see you back on KZbin. I'm about to watch your months-old video on why you had to discontinue the Brain Scoop channel. I wish you the best along with Trace and Joe!

[@dinovfs1704]

AMAZING! As a biology student I feel so touched and exited wacthing this, I hope that some day I'll get to do such a magnificent project as well.

[@gruffygrazer203]

Great video. So refreshing to see a video on conservation and ecosystems, that explains the very real and positive influence of humans. For those interested in a European equivalent, it's even more intriguing. Humans introduced sheep to Western Europe, including the UK, an animal which didn't evolve there and had no real equivalent. Humans cleared vast areas of woodland and scrubland for grazing livestock. Over thousands of years, the sheep grazed the chalk hills and slopes, producing a short turf, alpine habitat called chalk downland. One of the most diverse habitats in the world (up to 40 species of plant per square metre). This is because sheep evolved in an alpine environment, and so through their grazing behaviour, created their own environment in the European lowlands, where without them, less diverse scrub/woodland occurred. Essentially one of Europe's most valuable habitats, for the majority of it's range, is an artificial, man-made by product of traditional sheep farming.

[@bcohen992]

Best part... Bone marrow to be more specific. Emily: "Sick". ='D

[@RoxaneJ14]

This series is AMAZING ! Can't wait for the rest !

[@theldun1]

Do something about the carrier pigeon. They were a keystone species that was completely lost.

[@sethsteele7163]

Yes, but it was the passenger pigeon. If I remember correctly carrier pigeons are domesticated pigeons used to send messages between two points.

[@golgothasterrified]

@@sethsteele7163 Carrier pigeons are the ones that arent around i believe.

[@sethsteele7163]

@@golgothasterrified Naw I looked it up before I said that to make sure I was correct.

[@alexv3357]

There's no such species as "carrier pigeon." Passenger Pigeons were the species that once lived in North America. Carrier pigeons, more often called racing or homing pigeons, are a generic name for various breeds of domestic pigeon or Rock Dove, which is native to many areas of Asia, Europe, and North Africa.

[@robertunderwood1011]

How about the great chestnut trees that fed the forest? Ifyou want them back you are gonna have to accept GMO. We lost dinosaurs too and the world survived.

[@andrewd7112]

I hope that within my lifetime the various prairie restoration efforts will lead to a million bison herd!

[@wg_spiritomb]

This needs another episode. One based on mangrove trees.

[@the_one_who_has_a_very_str5580]

Great idea! Indeed, they are really important ecosystems to the wildlife and for the people too!

[@loturzelrestaurant]

@@the_one_who_has_a_very_str5580 Aloha. I thought this channel's comment-section/s, if any place, would have smarteristic and smarttastic people. So i wanted to ask your opinion of a Project of mine, trying to help youtube help itself - getting it to become less of what can only be described as 'Messy' without wanting to use hard swearing... P0rn, Racism, Sexism, Scam, Spam-Bots, P0rn-Spam-Bots and much more. Oh, and of course the new Kid in Town: The Covid-Denier/Mask-Hater. All of them are non-subtle (some more than others) and therefore easy to find. I used the reportbutton as it was originally intended; not as Cancel-Culture but to help. Just this week, i got 1 Covid-Denier-Channel (yes, the entire thing, not just 1 video) and 2 Open Racists (Users, not KZbinrs) removed. And this feels good. No, its not a 'Wonder-Miracle-Solution!!', but who needs that? Do you need that? Yet, i feel confident about this enough to ask: Wanna join the Fun? The helping? Both? Sorry for the long comment and sorry there is no Miracle-Hyper-Super-Solution, but hey, its cost-free and totally-your-own-time-schedule, as well as just plain fun, so i hope such Package is good enough for you. Smart is in this channel's name, after all, so i hope you at least consider helping KZbin and the Internet... cause it sure as fluff could need the help, tbh...

[@matrimhelmsgaard]

You need to do another one of these about beavers, their effect on rivers and salmon and birds and otters and all them.

[@susanfarley1332]

Beavers are an important changer of ecosystems...for the better. Humans don't like beavers because it interferes with their plans for the same land. Which is not for the betterment of the same ecosystem.

[@kmcsciguy]

EMILY!!! I miss The Brain Scoop, so glad to see her.

[@trin873]

Isn’t she on vlogbrothers

[@kmcsciguy]

@@trin873 not sure since I don’t keep up with that (though I should)

[@tomatosaurusrex832]

This is so wonderful and has really given me some insperation on a essay I'm writing about Megafauna and their affects on Indiginous cultures. I'm from New Zealand so don't know much about Native American culture. So you've given me some great starting points :)

[@renarddubois940]

the impact "indigenous" culture have on the more indigenous megafauna is a better subject.. well maybe not since it can be summed up in one word : death.. or opression.. or destruction.. or genocide..

[@thomasclifford422]

I love how they portray the First Nations positively and include them in history.

[@AR_Animates]

Hexagons are the Best-agons 🐝

[@sallycd5026]

Best-agons indeed

[@yayasrainbow9957]

Always the best

[@brysoncoffing2842]

Agreed

[@seasonedpudding194]

I can agree

[@StellarLimpkin]

CPG Grey!

[@benja_h0337]

The quality of this video is amazing! Thank you so much.

[@busdriver428]

I can physically only give this video one like but in my heart I give you an infinite number! I cannot wait until the next episode. All of you are amazing!!

[@jso6790]

Thank you for this. This was science and learning and inspiration and hope, all wrapped up in 25 minutes. I remember watching the Nature episode about the Keystone species and was blown away by this incredible insight. This show added something to that science by moving me so profoundly. I am not sure why. The awe of nature and how it works is one thing. The idea of the Oglala Lakota, having endured so much and survived so much, experiencing a spiritual reconnection was simply beautiful.

[@kishoredavid9853]

I felt very angry when I learned of the mass bison killing of millions to obliterate the native peoples. So sad and indeed sinister.

[@sunnysied713]

Did you think settlers were going to defeat the Comanche by using the words 'Please' and 'Thank You'? Human tribes have always tried to defeat other human tribes. The Comanche were highly successful and fierce warriors who raided and conquered other tribes/settlements.

[@Andrew-ug2cy]

@@sunnysied713 found the coloniser 💀

[@sunnysied713]

@@Andrew-ug2cy Colonizer? Were you going to defeat the Comanche with good manners? Ask them nicely to stop raiding settlements and killing people? Oh no, we have a wide-eyed dreamer.🙈

[@renarddubois940]

@@sunnysied713 why should the comanche be defeated, why shouldn't the settlers have been defeated instead?

[@sunnysied713]

@@renarddubois940 That's human conflict. The Settlers and Comanche got into conflict over territory. They fought. The Comanche lost and the Settlers won. It happens all the time in human history. The Comanche defeated many tribes and settlements. Eventually, they lost.

[@TheJungleDiaries]

Love seeing you three together! 🌿

[@zephyrsblade7188]

Every time someone brings up keystone species I just feel like jumping up and down! But this particular series feels so special. There's so much thoroughness and insight, as well as soul and wonder in its delivery. I really hope for more of this series.

[@someguyontheinternet5448]

This is just too wholesome.

[@krein511]

"A Skid Mark" That won my like.

[@JaySmith91]

I like the idea of connectedness as a way to present ecology. It reminds me of Richard Hammond's "Engineering Connections" series.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Aloha. I thought this channel's comment-section/s, if any place, would have smarteristic and smarttastic people. So i wanted to ask your opinion of a Project of mine, trying to help youtube help itself - getting it to become less of what can only be described as 'Messy' without wanting to use hard swearing... P0rn, Racism, Sexism, Scam, Spam-Bots, P0rn-Spam-Bots and much more. Oh, and of course the new Kid in Town: The Covid-Denier/Mask-Hater. All of them are non-subtle (some more than others) and therefore easy to find. I used the reportbutton as it was originally intended; not as Cancel-Culture but to help. Just this week, i got 1 Covid-Denier-Channel (yes, the entire thing, not just 1 video) and 2 Open Racists (Users, not KZbinrs) removed. And this feels good. No, its not a 'Wonder-Miracle-Solution!!', but who needs that? Do you need that? Yet, i feel confident about this enough to ask: Wanna join the Fun? The helping? Both? -Smart is in this channel's name, after all, so i hope you at least consider helping KZbin and the Internet... cause it sure as fluff could need the help, tbh...

[@remjoleea5560]

This was absolutely fascinating! I visited Yellowstone and the Badlands this past spring and was so blessed to see Buffalo. They are such amazing creatures

[@ItsMe-ox8lm]

What an amazing chapter, I grow up watching Discovery Channel, looking these animals and I have never imagined how important they are for the other species.

[@recklessroges]

Everything's connected. It's all somewhere on a spectrum. There are no neat boxes.

[@sallymoran2257]

This is so interesting!!!! One of the most interesting biological and ecological videos I’ve ever seen! This just made me love ecology more!

[@Itsgay2read]

I appreciate that your channel speaks with the people who have the most direct contact and understanding of their homes.

[@bigcupodisapointment]

I just want to say that I feel like this episode is super well produced. I would love more long form videos like this that go in depth. Was a very interesting watch.

[@MontgomeryWenis]

I see keystone species, I think of the Yellowstone wolves.

[@micro11.]

I thought you said yellow wolves

[@clarehidalgo]

It is crazy to think that the wolves being around literally affects the course of the rivers

[@MontgomeryWenis]

@@clarehidalgo I KNOW! That was the most amazing thing about that story. Literally so important to the area they can change the geography. Insane!!!!

[@RichardFerreria]

I'm so glad to see Emily back on KZbin! Such such a great and important science communicator

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Aloha. I thought this channel's comment-section/s, if any place, would have smarteristic and smarttastic people. So i wanted to ask your opinion of a Project of mine, trying to help youtube help itself - getting it to become less of what can only be described as 'Messy' without wanting to use hard swearing... P0rn, Racism, Sexism, Scam, Spam-Bots, P0rn-Spam-Bots and much more. Oh, and of course the new Kid in Town: The Covid-Denier/Mask-Hater. All of them are non-subtle (some more than others) and therefore easy to find. I used the reportbutton as it was originally intended; not as Cancel-Culture but to help. Just this week, i got 1 Covid-Denier-Channel (yes, the entire thing, not just 1 video) and 2 Open Racists (Users, not KZbinrs) removed. And this feels good. Sorry for the long comment and sorry there is no Miracle-Hyper-Super-Solution, but hey, its cost-free and totally-your-own-time-schedule, as well as just plain fun, so i hope such Package is good enough for you. Smart is in this channel's name, after all, so i hope you at least consider helping KZbin and the Internet... cause it sure as fluff could need the help, tbh...

[@lexhdz5803]

i wish a could marry a concept. ive always wanted someone (or several ppl) to explain natural fenomena in a global way, explaining everything from the chemistry of this coumpound to its role in biology to how its possible for it to exist on earth on the first place and everything else in between. im so in love with this omg thank you

[@beemerwt4185]

Serious goosebumps about the bison. It's a really. really good idea.

[@maheshalex]

I like when you challenge the myths that we are taught like in this that the top of the food chain controls the ecosystem ( like we think we are the superior species) instead how it goes from bottom-up and how other species effect the ecosystem in a drastic way

[@FlubberGamer]

There’s a TED talk on “Holistic land management” that sort of shows the interdependence of all organisms in an ecosystem. Specifically it goes into explaining how to recreate natural “grazing and migration” processes to improve the soils ability to absorb and use water, and prevent or possibly reverse desertification. It’s honestly a very good and quite thought provoking talk, we still need a more complete understanding of how ecosystems work, but utilizing nature’s solutions to solve natural or man-made problems is a great idea considering nature has had billions of years to experiment and find the best way to self regulate.

[@88wolfeyes]

Sorry, the idea that the top of the food chain controls the ecosystem is a myth is not true. There are ecosystems where the predators are super important keystones as well. Just because predators do not have strong ecological effects in these bottom up controlled ecosystems does not mean this is the case everywhere. (I have a PhD in ecology and have studied the interplay between grasses, herbivores and fire in savannas)

[@88wolfeyes]

Also he never claimed this either, he just said predators were less important here. There absolutely are ecosystems that are top down driven.

[@maheshalex]

@@88wolfeyes ya that's right but what we are taught in schools is that only goes one way, I agree that there can be an ecosystem where predators are the keystone species but the research might also be biased in favour of old school model. Don't you think so?

[@maheshalex]

@@FlubberGamer How to green the world's deserts and reverse climate change | Allan Savory I saw this video , its really good . Is it the right one ? else please share the link

[@yk5855]

Great advocacy for the connectiveness and cohesion of nature and the role wildebeests and bison play in their ecosystems! 🫀Love this episode and looking forward to more!

[@adamcharlesworth7546]

My favourite keystone species is bevers. Their dams create miles long stretches of wetland which become important habitats for all types of plants and animals. Also theyre just so heckin cute

[@firdausridzuan4080]

This episode is heartwarming. You guys explained the beauty of the nature in the best way possible. I really love this series, can't wait for the next episode.

[@tiacho2893]

I missed Emily and glad to see her back. As a Canadian, I have to mention that beavers have a huge affect on the landscape by felling trees and building dams. Their precolonial numbers probably made them one of the keystone species by regulating water flow and the make up of forests near rivers and streams. One of nature's many engineers!!!

[@chadwick8193]

Beavers are great. In the American southwest, civilization and land cultivation messed with Beaver numbers. I am happy to see the younger generations care so much about the environment.

[@kingsrook9866]

I am looking forward to the episode on the most Canadian of keystone species: the beaver

[@winartowongso9345]

That was freaking awesome. Kudos really. This is possibly one of the best things I have ever watched on youtube. Looking forward to the next episodes. Thank you.

[@sarah-wc1dl]

Just wanted to say how much I appreciate what you guys do! Your videos and the messages you convey with them are amazing ! I can’t believe this doesn’t have a million views

[@m.a195]

I can't believe I never connected the eradication of bison to the intended eradication of native peoples. I always thought it was this thoughtless incidental slaughter, but it systematic and intentional...

[@smurfyday]

Because most US history books are written by conservatives like John Q Wilson.

[@VaradMahashabde]

_"Producers. Herbivores. Humans. Carnivores. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Human Nation attacked."_

[@christiandeovillajuan3666]

"European colonizers attacked" jk

[@CyberInstinct]

NaRuTo !!! .....?

[@obstinateundead3931]

@@CyberInstinct Yes, Naruto

[@VaradMahashabde]

@@CyberInstinct nah, avatar the last airbender reference

[@Asiliea]

@@VaradMahashabde NaH BrO, Fire Nation-jitsu

[@sergicrisan5564]

This is beautiful. The work that's been put into it is incredible and I'm very thankful for everyone's effort. I hope you'll make more of these short documentaries with such an important message, without the gloomy side. Thanks again for all your hard work.

[@godwinmakwaia1295]

Living from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania 🇹🇿. I really appreciate this information. We are part of ecosystem. It on us on how we want to play with it for good. Great work for those who put their efforts to get the Keystone species back to their Land.

[@rimostle]

Underrated video Amazing job done by joe and emily

[@Athrun000]

That photo with a mountain load of bison skulls 🙀

[@akhilkantmishra6239]

Waiting for the next. Good work guys. I love your idea of looking at ecosystem. It's uniquely binding everything together within our ecosystems. Thank you for all your efforts to bring this knowledge to us.

[@angeliquekieser9467]

I'm wondering what the impact was of removing the bison. The Serengeti still had wildebees just in much lower numbers, but the prairies in places have had no bison for a few hundred years. What changed in the ecosystem? Did they collapse or adapt?

[@dizzytitan8481]

Ahhh! I was just thinking about how I miss Tracey on seeker! Lol

[@TraceDominguez]

I’m working on my own channel these days (Uno Dos of Trace), AND doing stuff with Joe and Emily for this series, AND making Animal IQ for PBS Terra! See you around the ‘net 💕

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Immediately thought of what happened to the bison…and it was part of the genocide policy of the Department of War.

[@sunnysied713]

And are you aware of the Comanche's policy of genocide and war? Did you think the Comanche were peaceful and harmonious Native Americans who did nothing to put themselves in conflict with settlers? Did you actually think the buffalo/bison were killed for no reason? Lol

[@Thelonious2Monk]

If you want to learn more about the Serengeti and the wildebeest, see lectures by Prof. Sean Carroll, for example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6uneoarf8mZkM0

[@jamesmarshall6619]

Missed seeing Emily, love that she's back and working on projects again. Looking forward to nerding out on these.

[@thehandsomeknight9449]

When joe uploads you just know it’s gonna be a good day

[@sarahcoleman5269]

Honestly, I started balling when the Oglala Sioux invited them in with the Buffalo ceremony. It really struck me as Native People's inviting Americans to be part of America. I mean the Real America, not the capitalist, consumerist, embarrassing 'Murica. I know "Murica" is an Internet joke, but it's also spoofing something that's just too real, and really depressing to think this is what our society has devolved into. I'd rather be part of this America, where we share the land with and honor Native Peoples.

[@sunnysied713]

You seem to romanticize history. The peaceful, harmonious and environmentally friendly indigenous people is a myth. Native American tribes were fighting, killing, warring, raping, enslaving and conquering one another long before Europeans ever discovered the continent. Some tribes were peaceful, some were aggressive. And there's a while lot of in-between. Humans are territorial, just like every other animal.

[@zacharysimon2952]

That was phenomenal! I can’t wait for more of this series. Great job!

[@raktimabhdas9534]

I love this series so much I have revisited it from time to time over the last 2 years. The absolute best of Joe Hanson, PhD!

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

Bring back the Buffalo!

[@PaulPaulPaulson]

The most important question: Does it still have brains on it?

[@EmilyGraslie]

it'll ALWAYS have brains on it

[@vishank7]

@@EmilyGraslie Pumped to see your content back on KZbin Emily. Looking forward to the future episodes and your amazing new projects!

[@SuperPizzaXD]

This is the most amazing wildlife documentary I have seen EVER!! Omg! Great job you guys! Looking forward to the next episodes!!😱

[@mayapunkful]

Thanks for sharing this with the world! I really appreciate you and the whole team that made it possible.

[@AidanWigger]

Fantastic. Looking forward to more. And to hear from the other guy too. He's pumped on predators.

[@TraceDominguez]

Pumped on Predators sounds like a gym in a Spongebob episode

[@ADITYA-zc1bd]

How far away from nature have we come, despite being a part of the nature.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

@Ben Daulton Not all do. Dont lump them all into one Box, aye?

[@renarddubois940]

When ppl pretend they're part of nature, it's not a neutral, technical, factual claim and it's not an inspiring and beautiful message about us being their cousins and having to respect them either.. It is rather a way to erase the wild, erase chaos and anarchy and bring about an order, a human order, it's invading wild space and making them our own.. it's taking away wild agency and controlling everything, it's deciding for them what is better for them whether it is more biodiversity or more biomass or more of one less of the other, or a less painful death or whatever it is we decide, we define, we conceptualize as good or bad based on OUR sensibilities and worst of all OUR interests..

[@luddity]

It is a failure of our educational system that leaves us seeing ourselves as separate from nature. We are creatures of this planet too, and we need to relearn our rightful place within all of the ecosystems we inhabit, so that we can coexist harmoniously. How can we ever hope to create stable ecosystems on other planets to sustain us, when we don't even properly understand how the ecosystems of our own native planet work well enough to keep from destroying them, or restore those that we have destroyed.

[@renarddubois940]

@@luddity our rightful place? ow please, and what is that? there is no rightful place that humans would deem acceptable except the city.. the wild is their rightful place, not ours, what we ought to do is take as little land as possible, make our habitats vertical, our crop vertical and live in arcologically designed megalopoli.. I would be fine with back to nature but there has to be guarantees that we won't be more powerful than any other species, so it's back to 100 000 population and back to monkey, not weapons or clothes allowed, no agriculture and no hunting either as well as not ever be allowed to defend oneself from a bigger animals other than by running away/climbing.. anything less is very clearly just a bunch of humans who want to dominate the wild rather than be a part of it.. if we want to have god mode activated, it's outside of the wild

[@TheMadmax36]

It was heartfelt and touching. Thank you for such a great episode.

[@williamlikens82]

This is one of my favorite videos you guys have made in a while! I hope it was a blast to make because I enjoyed every second of it!

[@teletubbypo318]

Joe is my favourite presenter for these shows. Him and Hank from scishow

[@mamagoosey]

Hank and Joe are counterparts from parallel universes tbh

[@atree8648]

The cutest model of the hubble just at your back joe

[@gbzrj]

This video is so good on so many levels. Thanks for producing something of such a high quality for free!

[@crazychic09876]

Really loved this episode and I can't wait to see the rest of the series!

[@IanBourn]

Why does the KZbin premiere countdown music go so hard

[@ipadair7345]

it's because they care more about aesthetics than morality or their service :)

[@evanevans5428]

Missedmillenareferencatunity: " So there will eventually be BISON on this Bison tour right"?

[@bawwyoa]

Wow this is amazing y’all keep it up. Being able to see the world in a wholestic way is incredibly valuable