Regenerative design and regenerative agriculture are not just buzzwords—they represent a deep and promising shift in how we view land restoration, especially after decades of reckless resource extraction and unsustainable practices. The damage caused by industrial-scale agriculture, where huge numbers of livestock like cows, sheep, and pigs are confined, has left us with eroded landscapes and polluted water sources. In these systems, animal waste becomes a liability rather than an asset—polluting soil and water when it could be a powerful tool for regeneration.
But regenerative agriculture offers a different path, one that taps into the wisdom of natural processes to heal ecosystems and rebuild land health. It acknowledges the essential roles that both domestic and wild animals play in these processes. Properly managed grazing systems can restore even the most degraded landscapes, and their benefits stretch far beyond nutrient recycling.
The Role of Animals in Landscape Regeneration
Animals—especially herbivores—have always played a fundamental role in shaping ecosystems. Herds of migratory species like bison, wildebeest, and elk once moved freely across vast prairies and savannas, and their grazing patterns were in sync with the natural cycles of vegetation and water. Their movement wasn’t just random; it had a profound impact on the landscape.
As they traveled, these herds would break up compacted soil, trample hard surfaces, and disperse seeds. Their dung, far from being a pollutant, fertilized the land—bringing organic matter, nutrients, and microbial life into the soil, which is absolutely vital for its health. Without these microbes from animal waste, soils can become lifeless. Organic matter decomposes more slowly, plant material piles up, and the ground loses fertility.
This natural cycle of grazing, trampling, and fertilization kept ecosystems thriving and resilient. By introducing life into the soil, animals made it more fertile and biologically active, which then supported more diverse plant life. This dynamic created a healthy, balanced system that could sustain itself.
The Benefits of Well-Managed Grazing
Regenerative agriculture looks to mimic these natural processes, especially through rotational grazing. In these systems, livestock is moved strategically across different areas to replicate the behaviors of wild herbivores. This gives the land a chance to rest, preventing overgrazing and allowing vegetation to regenerate. Studies show that rotational grazing improves soil structure, boosts organic matter, and enhances water infiltration—all contributing to greater ecosystem resilience.
When animals graze in this way, it also stimulates the growth of deep-rooted perennial grasses, which help sequester carbon and improve soil health. These grasses stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and enhance water retention, which is critical in mitigating both droughts and floods. And the benefits don’t stop at the pasture; healthy soils and vegetation help maintain the broader water cycle, benefiting entire regions.
In areas without animals, the opposite happens. Biomass like dead plant material doesn’t decompose fully—it oxidizes, leaving behind poor soil. The lack of grazing and trampling leaves landscapes with a slow decay process and no microbial life from animal dung to speed up decomposition. This can slow down the regeneration of ecosystems and weaken the soil.
Moving Beyond a Single-Approach Philosophy
It’s essential to recognize that there are many ways to manage land, and integrating animals is just one approach. While some suggest we can do without animals, especially from a vegan perspective, the reality is that herbivores have played an integral role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, both historically and today. Their interactions with the land are critical for its health and functioning.
The aim of regenerative design and agriculture isn’t to push a single ideology. Instead, it’s about embracing practices that are grounded in science and respect the intricate balance of ecological processes. This means recognizing the value of every life form, from microbes to large mammals, and managing systems in ways that enhance their ability to provide essential services for both nature and humanity.
Restoring Ecological Cycles through Regenerative Agriculture
At its core, regenerative agriculture is about restoring the natural cycles that industrial practices have disrupted. Techniques like rotational grazing, cover cropping, and agroforestry help rebuild soil health, boost biodiversity, and revive the natural cycles of water, carbon, and nutrients.
This approach is holistic—it understands that ecosystems are interconnected. Every element, from plants to animals to microorganisms, plays a vital role. By working with nature, instead of against it, regenerative agriculture offers a clear path to healing degraded lands, reducing carbon emissions, and improving food security.
A Holistic Approach to Landscape Restoration
Well-managed grazing systems aren’t just a strategy—they’re a lifeline for restoring landscapes and building ecological resilience. The introduction of microbial life through animal dung, combined with the natural grazing behaviors of herbivores, is key to maintaining soil health, boosting biodiversity, and speeding up the decomposition of organic matter. Without these processes, landscapes oxidize and lose fertility. The road to restoring these vital cycles lies in understanding and respecting nature’s systems and incorporating them into how we manage our land for the future.