Yellowstone wolves spur recovery of bears' berries

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23495074


Wolves were re-introduced to the park in the 1990s in an effort to control elk numbers

The return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park may be leading to an improvement in the diet of grizzly bears, a study suggests.

When wolves were eradicated from Yellowstone in the early 20th Century, the elk population boomed, devastating berry-shrubs relied upon by bears.

Details are published in the Journal of Animal Ecology.

A team from Oregon and Washington links the reintroduction of predatory wolves with a fall in over-browsing by elk.

[liberal N proud]

1. It takes every element of the ecosystem for it to flourish

Take one element out and you don't know the effect it will have until its too late.

That is why every time a species become extinct, it is a big deal.

[pscot]

2. The wolves also reduced erosion

along stream banks. The elk used to congregate near water, but the presence of wolves made that too dangerous.

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Raised the water table. Brought back trees. Brought back beavers. Stabilized the elk herds at about

29,000. Instead of the starvation-related boom/bust cycle they were in, getting down to 9,000 at times.