Bison are keystone species whose grazing behavior shapes prairie ecosystems. Their welfare and ecological role are intertwined with the health of grassland habitats and associated species.
Bison welfare and prairie ecosystem health are mutually reinforcing. Bison that can express their full behavioral repertoire including wallowing, grazing, and seasonal movement maintain better individual welfare while creating the ecological conditions that support diverse prairie animal communities. Conservation that restores bison to large intact grassland landscapes benefits both bison welfare and the welfare of the entire prairie ecosystem community.