How reintroducing wolves saved Yellowstone National Park

bbc.com

72 points·michaelochurch··6 comments

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/10/opinion/is-the-wolf-a-real...

> This story — that wolves fixed a broken Yellowstone by killing and frightening elk — is one of ecology’s most famous. It’s the classic example of what’s called a “trophic cascade,” and has appeared in textbooks, on National Geographic centerfolds and in this newspaper. Americans may know this story better than any other from ecology, and its grip on our imagination is one of the field’s proudest contributions to wildlife conservation. But there is a problem with the story: It’s not true.

Interesting op-ed. I do think that the author does his argument a bit of a disservice by saying that 'it's not true'. Based on his own arguments and the data he refers to, a more correct answer is 'we're not sure' (as in not sure exactly how much or little the reintroduction of the wolf to GYE affected improvement in the ecosystem's biodiversity).

Didn't seem not sure to me.

I don't have a way to tell if he's right or not, but he clearly lays out his case that it's not true.

See also this recent story. Beavers can have a similar amplified effect on their environment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31019595

And, the pine marten.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/30/how-to-er...

Thanks for sharing!

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