It was interesting to hear of the effect wolves hold on the ecosystem
in Yellowstone National Park. I didn't know they were such a major species. In
the video, a scientist showed us a graphic of the trophic level pyramid. Wolves
are on top, and mainly prey on elk, who are in the middle. An elk’s diet
consists of plant life in the park, which is located at the bottom of the
pyramid, as the basis for all life. At one point, the wolf population was
almost loss, and the elk population began to flourish. Because the elk
population increased, the plant life was over eaten, and there wasn't enough
food to go around. The elk killed a lot of shrubbery around the park. This all
took place because of the loss of many wolves.
This is where the reintroduction took place. Canadian wolves
were placed into the park to restore the wolf population. Yes, this
reintroduction did help to control
the elk population, and helped to bring back much plant life. However, the
return of wolves had an effect on something else that was not in the tropic
level pyramid: coyotes. This is where intraspecific
competition comes in. This is competition between species, such as the wolf
and the coyote. Both species fought for the same food, but in different ways.
Coyotes are scavengers, and would eat already dead elk. Wolves would seek out
and kill the elk themselves, not leaving anything left to scavenge, thus,
ridding the park of a big food source for coyotes. Also, the wolves saw any
other dog as a threat, and if a coyote crossed its path, the coyote was surely
dead. The park saw a decline in coyote population after the reintroduction of
wolves.
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Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center - West Yellowstone, Montana Alpha female of the High Country Wolves
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I agree with the idea of reintroduction. The fluctuation of the
wolf population was a natural one that would've continued had humans not
stepped in. It was for the betterment of plant life in the park, and if they
hadn't brought in the Canadian wolves, the park surely would've looked
desolate. There was another introduction discussed in the video: the Florida
panther. The state’s cat was on the decline, and when brought back, many people
were upset due to the panthers wandering close to their homes. I, however,
agree with the act of reintroduction in this instance as well. Panthers are a
necessary element in the Florida forest ecosystem. They, as mentioned in the
video, are the prime predator of the wild hog, who also inhabit the forests in
that states. The wild hogs are a menace, that became even more so when the cats
died out. Progress is already being seen in the decline of the wild hog
population, as a result of the panther reintroduction.
As for wolves in our back yard (the U.P.), they are truly a
natural part of the ecosystem, and belong here. I am glad that they are
protected. On the other hand, I believe their population can fluctuate just as
much as any other, and should be controlled. I think a hunting season is
justified, but not for reasons such as “violent, menacing wolves”, but because
more wolves means less deer, or moose. Too many wolves would throw off other
populations of necessary species.
Wildlife is such a beautiful, majestic thing. I feel
strongly that we are obligated to help it survive, and not only that, but
flourish. It is our duty to protect the species that can’t do such for
themselves (i.e. plant life in Yellowstone), and control species at risk of
over or under population. We should feel honored to defend the gift that nature
is.
EJ
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