Trophic cascade, reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone changed the ecosystem and its geology

[snuggans]

While scientists have pointed to the negative effects of the decline or loss of a top predator for years, it isn’t very often that we can observe the opposite and watch a predator reclaim territory and restore order. That’s exactly what happened at Yellowstone National Park when gray wolves were put back into the environment to “rewild” the area nearly 20 years ago.The wolves didn’t only cull the out of control elk population in the park, but they actually restructured where animals lived. This has allowed previously suffering species of both animals and plants to flourish within a few short years.

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and...save-ecosystem



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trophic_cascade

pretty cool to see all these systems affecting each other, i wonder which other areas in the world would benefit from this sort of "meddling" of food chains. although i also wonder why the wolves needed to be reintroduced in the first place?

[GarretJax]

Pretty awesome video, thanks for sharing! Here's to hoping that more of these initiatives are followed through with. I know there's a huge problem with deer overpopulation where I live, since wolves and coyotes have been pushed out of the area due to development. It's been evened out by selling a large quantity of deer licenses each year for hunting, but I'd much rather have a natural solution.

[Knight of Heaven]

pretty cool to see all these systems affecting each other, i wonder which other areas in the world would benefit from this sort of "meddling" of food chains. although i also wonder why the wolves needed to be reintroduced in the first place?

Its all about balance, if the elks didnt had a predator, there would be a chance of this animals to overpopulate the habitat and wipe out their food sources. WIch would mean on the long term extintion for these elks.
Well im thinking it would be something like this.
Not to mention the guarantie of survival of this Wolf species, in their wild habitat.

[Tankfriend]

Well, the elk/deer probably wouldn't go extinct without the wolves in that area. Firstly, there's always the chance of them migrating to a different area that is also a viable area to live in. And secondly, even if overfeeding were to destroy a good deal of the natural environment they depend on and a lot of the elk/deer were to die because of that, that would result in less strain on the environment (allowing recovery), and the meagre ressources that are left are also spread over a smaller population, which allows them to survive easier.
Unless something goes wrong, this cycle of recovery/overpopulation could theoretically carry on for god knows how long.

although i also wonder why the wolves needed to be reintroduced in the first place?

Oh, just the usual. Humans hunting them and especially a good deal of their prey to near- or total extinction in the area.

Very interesting video, in any case.