Yellowstone ecosystem
Yellowstone ecosystem is best known as a national park. It has several beautiful sights. Many beautiful mountains are covered by expansive forests, stunning waterways, and enormous waterfalls. The geothermal pools and springs dot the scene making the place the most remarkable ecosystem. The major herbivores found in the park include the moose, bison, elk mountain goats, and deer. The main predators include the wolves, the bear, wolverines, and the coyotes (“LORDS OF NATURE,” n.d.). The primary role and the importance of such an ecosystem are that it balances the ecosystem in the sense that the herbivores consume the vegetation, while the carnivores consume the herbivores. The main plants in the Yellowstone include the deciduous species, several trees such as the pine, and both the white and Engelmann spruce. Other animals that depend on plants to survive include the birds and insects.
Removing a predator from the ecosystem can be catastrophic. The role of predators is to consume prey; in doing so, they control the number in the ecosystem. Predators assist in maintaining balance among different organisms in an ecosystem (“LORDS OF NATURE,” n.d.). For instance, the wolves consume elk in Yellowstone. This reduces the number of prey in an ecosystem and alters the behavior of the prey and how they select the habitat. Removing the wolves led to an increased population of elk. Too many elks consume more vegetation, which puts pressure on the ecosystem. Additionally, removing the predator affects the existing checks and balances and causes disruption.
The absence of a predator affects the water chemistry in the sense that when the population of elk increased, they consumed a lot of vegetation, including along the riverbanks. Additionally, the elk remain in one place, wiping out all the vegetation, which widens the riverbanks due to erosion. Moreover, the temperature of rives becomes warm since there is no shade to cool the river (“LORDS OF NATURE,” n.d.). ` Hence affecting the species that depend on rivers such as the fish. The birds are also affected since they had to look for alternative areas to nest since the riverbank was no longer tenable.
The ecology fear of removing wolves in the ecosystem is that the absence of wolves in Yellowstone simplified or degraded the ecosystem. The number of elks increased; they roamed freely in the park and consumed a lot of vegetation, causing the land to become barren (“LORDS OF NATURE,” n.d.). Additionally, due to the increased number of herbivores, the structure of vegetation was affected, productivity and the composition of species in the environment were also affected. Therefore, predation risks alter the structure and composition of the ecosystem due to lack of balance since more pressure is exerted on one aspect of the ecosystem.
There are several nonlethal means of controlling wolves in the ecosystem. Wolves have a strong scent and can discern prey from far, hence it is prudent to remove any carcasses around grazing fields or near homesteads. Additionally, farmers should use trained dogs to guard animals (Wells, McNew & Tyers, 2016, p. 131). The mere presence of dogs keeps wolves away. It also alerts herders of the presence of any predators and helps them to take steps to prevent any conflict between the livestock and the wolves. Putting up barriers is also essential in the sense that it deters the wolves from wandering close to grazing land.
LORDS OF NATURE – YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PagO3gmwmA0
Wells, S. L., McNew, L. B., & Tyers, D. B. (2016). Grizzly Bear Use of Forest Service Grazing Allotments in The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (Poster). Intermountain Journal of Sciences, 22(4), 131-131.