Predator Pray

It is very interesting the relationship predator and pray can have on an entire ecosystem. And how tampering with one spices can effect an area so drastically. In specific the Western side of Wyoming in the area in and around Yellowstone National Park. It is in this area that wolfs had been completely eliminated by settlers of the area. They did not want the wolfs there, because they posed a threat to the farmers and there live stock.

With the missing puzzle piece of wolfs in the environment the population of elk increased to a very high level. As the elk population went up, the birch tree and other plant life was being destroyed because of the over eating by the elk. The trophic pyramid, that demonstrates the balance of an ecosystem, was out of wack will little to no top tear predator. It was not until the recent years, when wolfs have been reintroduced, that the situation has been brought back into check, and then some.

Brook Trout faintly seen in Flat Creek

As more wolfs come back to the area, the elf population was brought down to natural levels. The decrease in elf population has brought a rebirth of birch tree in the area. All was good and expected by the reintroduction of the predator. However what happened next was not planned.

With more birch trees along the river banks there was an increase in beaver population and dam sights. At first this may not seem like a good thing. However it provides better aquatic ecosystems in the rivers. By slowing the flow of water, the water table rose and the rivers began to take a  slower meandering path. Also hosting more fish life.

There was only one negative aspect pointed out by the film because of the reintroduction, besides the farmers dislike. That was the killing of coyotes. The wolf would not eat the coyote, it would be left after the kill. This was concerning to the park rangers as they thought the wolfs were merely killing for fun. It was then realized, due to intraspecific competition for food, the wolfs would kill a coyote that got too close to one of the elk that the wolf killed.

Open grass land and the Teton Range out side Yellowstone

Over all. I see the reintroduction of wolfs into the Yellowstone area as a very good thing. It is quite amazing the change that can come all the way down the pyramid and even in other trophic pyramids due to the stabilization of a key predator population. I know they can disrupt cattle herds, and elf hunting, but farmers will need to be smarter about were they have there cattle, and hunters still have plenty of opportunities. I see the well balanced ecosystem as worth it.