Humans reshape predator-prey rules across food webs, creating a challenging new world for wildlife
Credit: Trends in Ecology & Evolution (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.01.005 The relationship between predators and prey in the wild is underscored by an evolutionary arms race spanning millions of years, but new research has found modern human activity is reshaping the rules. Led by Charles Sturt University (CSU) with support from Charles Darwin University and others, the review found that physical and behavioral traits of both predator and prey have been altered by human interference, and this has affected how they interact with each other.
- ▪Credit: Trends in Ecology & Evolution (2026).
- ▪DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.01.005 The relationship between predators and prey in the wild is underscored by an evolutionary arms race spanning millions of years, but new research has found modern human activity is reshaping the rules.
- ▪Led by Charles Sturt University (CSU) with support from Charles Darwin University and others, the review found that physical and behavioral traits of both predator and prey have been altered by human interference, and this has affected how
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May 29, 2026 Humans reshape predator-prey rules across food webs, creating a challenging new world for wildlife by Charles Darwin University edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan Sadie Harley Scientific Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Robert Egan Associate Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread The GIST Add as preferred source The diverse pathways through which human disturbance can influence the traits of predators and prey and cascade to shape ecosystems.
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