Citation
Keystone Interactions: Salmon and Bear in Riparian Forests of Alaska
TL;DR
Nitrogen influx requires both salmon AND bears present
This research adds crucial nuance to the salmon-forest story: nitrogen influx to forests increases significantly only when both salmon AND bears are present. Neither species alone produces the full ecosystem effect. Bears are the dispersal mechanism that extends nutrient transport beyond stream banks into the forest.
This has direct business implications: ecosystem value often requires multiple players working in concert. TSMC alone doesn't create chip value - it requires designers (Apple, Nvidia), equipment makers (ASML), and end markets (smartphones, AI) to complete the value chain.
Key Findings from Hilderbrand & al. (2004)
- Nitrogen influx requires both salmon AND bears present
- Bears distribute salmon carcasses throughout forests
- Single-species studies underestimate ecosystem effects
- Nutrient transport extends far beyond stream banks via predator behavior