Scared To Death Analysis

In “Scared to Death,” Ed Yong tells us about the affect wolves have had on the elk population. This comes after the absence of wolves in Yellowstone. Yong says, “In January 1995, the grey wolves returned to Yellowstone national Park, almost 70 years after they had been exterminated by an over enthusiastic predator-control program,” (ll1-2). This new introduction of wolves has had monumetous effect on the overly populated elk. John Laundre, who had been watching the elk, describes this effect in a very controversial way. Yong says, “To describe this psychological environment, Laundre coined the term “landscape of fear,” (ll19-20). Launder gives several reasons for this unusual idea.
The main overall theme of the “Landscape of fear” theory

Creel, another researcher made some remarkable findings. Creel found that the elk “doubled the time they spent on watch,” (ll49). He also says, “They also moved from the grassy fields they prefer into wooded areas that offer more protection but less food,” (ll49-50). So it would seem that the “landscape of fear” theory has some very good evidence to back it up. The “landscape of fear” theory does not just apply to elk but to many other predator prey relationships. Yong goes on to say, “Ecologists are studying landscapes of fear in animals as diverse as wolves and elk, sharks and dugongs, spiders and grasshoppers,” (ll28-29). The fear that predators instill in their prey is not confined to one group of animals. In fact, it seems that this trait can be seen in every predator-prey relationship. This was something thought improbable in the past. The effects on the predator-prey relationship in Yellowstone, is not confined only to the elk. It also has had an effect on the trees and other plants that elk graze on. Yong says the aspen, cottonwood, and willow trees have made a comeback. The reason for this is because the saplings can now survive. Yong says, “More saplings survive, now that the intimidated elk are less likely to nibble lower branches, and the older trees have doubled or tripled in height,” (ll60-61). The elk are less likely to put their heads lower to the ground now that they have to watch for