Essay On Grey Wolves

Grey wolves are a crucial staple to the trophic system in Yellowstone National Park. Trophic systems are comprised of three levels, pray, predator, and plants. In 1920, the entire population of grey wolves were killed off in Yellowstone national park, which launched the avalanche of change in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Some of the changes that occurred during the almost seven decade wolf absence, included a significant population increase of elk, population decrease of beaver, and decreased coverage of tree’s within Yellowstone. (YNP) The killing and disappearance of they wolves caused a ripple of direct and indirect ramifications throughout the entirety of the ecosystem. Grey wolves were nonexistent in Yellowstone national park until the mid 1990’s, where early stages

Scientists were able to observe the effects of taking a major species out of an ecosystem, and the effects or reincorporating that species back into the ecosystem, which is described as “Scientific literature.” (Smith) A similar occurrence took place in Central Idaho, however was overshadowed by the prominence of Yellowstone. Wolves were high on the endangered species list and activists wanted to see a return of wolves to Idaho’s backcountry. In both Yellowstone, and Idaho many opposed the introduction to wolves, however many also supported through the Endangered Species Act, and wolf recovery program. The grey wolf played a huge role in the trophic system in Yellowstone. Soon after wolves became obsolete in Yellowstone, scientists saw huge increases in Elk population. The increase of the elk population placed huge pressure on the carrying capacity of Yellowstone, nearly pushing it over the edge. Elk would settle in one habitat and because of the large number