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How did the introduction of Eurasian livestock change the ecology of the Americas during the Columbian Exchange?
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Columbian Exchange
Christopher Columbus arriving in the New World, illustration in Il costume antico et moderno (βThe Ancient and Modern Costume,β (1817β26).
The introduction of Eurasian livestock during the Columbian Exchange significantly altered the ecology of the Americas. Animals like horses, cattle, goats, and sheep adapted well to the American landscape, with some running wild and reproducing prolifically. These introduced herbivores impacted native vegetation by grazing and trampling crops, leading to new conflicts between herders and farmers. The horse, in particular, revolutionized life for Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains, increasing their mobility and enabling a nomadic lifestyle centered on bison hunting. This ecological shift also brought new economic possibilities, providing resources like hides, wool, and animal protein.123