Scientists finally explain the strange staircases on hillsides
Researchers from CU Boulder have used computer simulations to prove that grazing animals like cows are responsible for the regular, staircase-like patterns known as terracettes on hillsides. The study suggests that animals create these patterns by balancing energy expenditure against the reward of finding fresh grass.
Why it matters
This discovery resolves a long-standing geological mystery, demonstrating how animal behavior can actively shape natural landscapes.
Steep grassy hillsides in many parts of the world are striped with narrow, level steps, known as terracettes. They have puzzled observers for well over a century.
The article is a straightforward report on scientific research findings.
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