Repopulate

/ˌriːˈpɑpjəleɪt/ verb

Definition

To fill a place with people or animals again after it has been empty or abandoned; to restore a population to an area.

Etymology

From Latin 're-' (again) + 'populatus' (populated). The prefix 're-' indicates doing something again, while 'populate' comes from 'populus' (people), the same root as 'popular.'

Kelly Says

Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone after 70 years of absence, and suddenly the entire ecosystem was rebalanced—the predators kept elk herds moving, which allowed vegetation to recover, which changed water erosion patterns. One species repopulating changed everything.

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