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This is a fascinating question that touches on the complex relationship between human cultural practices and ecological systems! Here are some compelling examples:

Fermentation Rituals

Many traditional fermentation practices benefit specific microbial communities:

• Sake brewing ceremonies in Japan involve elaborate rituals that create optimal conditions for Saccharomyces cerevisiae and koji molds
• Tibetan chang fermentation includes specific timing and vessel preparation rituals that favor beneficial yeasts over harmful bacteria
• Traditional cheese-making rituals in various cultures involve practices that cultivate specific bacterial cultures

Burial and Mortuary Practices

• Sky burial in Tibetan Buddhism exposes bodies to scavenger birds and decomposer organisms
• Natural burial practices (avoiding embalming) provide nutrients for soil microorganisms and plant communities
• Mummification rituals ironically preserved organic matter for future bacterial communities once the preservation breaks down

Agricultural Ceremonies

• Crop blessing rituals often involve leaving portions of harvests in fields, feeding soil microbes and small animals
• Seasonal planting ceremonies sometimes include "feeding the earth" with organic materials that benefit mycorrhizal networks
• Fallow field traditions give ecosystems time to recover, benefiting diverse microbial and plant communities

Food Taboos and Restrictions

• Religious dietary laws that prohibit certain foods during specific periods can reduce hunting/harvesting pressure on species
• Seasonal eating restrictions in some cultures align with breeding cycles of various organisms

The intriguing aspect is whether these practices evolved because they accidentally benefited other species, or if there's some deeper ecological wisdom embedded in cultural transmission that we don't fully understand yet.