Here’s how Llama poop can push Earth’s green cover up

Llamas might just hold the key to rejuvenating barren land affected by glacial retreat, according to a new scientific study. The research, conducted over three years with farmers in the Cordillera Blanca region of the Andes, found that llama poop, known as “llama beans,” is nutrient-rich and beneficial for soil health. The areas where llamas were raised experienced a 57% increase in plant cover, along with enhanced soil nutrients and the emergence of four new plant species.

Llamas contribute to soil health through their natural activities of grazing, shedding, and defecating. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, highlights the nutritional value of llama feces, which contains essential nutrients like carbon and nitrogen crucial for creating hospitable soil. Llama droppings also contain seeds from the plants they consume during grazing.

The research, led by geographer Anaïs Zimmer and conducted in collaboration with Llama 2000 Asociación, involved setting up fenced areas where llamas were allowed to graze. The farmers, who have been practicing llama husbandry in the region for generations, helped monitor and care for the llamas during the study.

The findings have broader implications for regions like the Andes, where glacial retreat has left soil nutrient-deprived. With over 50% of Peru’s glacial surface lost in the past 50 years due to climate change, this natural approach involving llamas could offer a sustainable solution. Glacial melting leaves soil lacking essential nutrients, which can take centuries to naturally regenerate.

While llama husbandry has been a traditional practice since the Incan Empire, the study provides scientific evidence of the positive impact of llamas on soil health. The researchers suggest that raising llamas in these areas may help mitigate the destructive effects of global warming-induced deglaciation and support the local economy. The study underscores the importance of sustainable practices and indigenous knowledge in addressing environmental challenges.