Yellowtone National Park Case Study
In recent years, we have seen the ecosystem flourish due to a successful reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. We have seen a steady decrease in elk population, which in turn helped create a successful trophic cascade. Looking at graphs we can see that the wolf reintroduction has done its job, and we see a more than 50% decrease in population of elk. But what could happen if the wolf population doubled. We could see a total extermination of elk from Yellowstone and a decrease in visitors to Yellowstone, but in turn we could see in increase in the population of wolves, water animals, birds, and bears. Think for a minute that the wolf population doubled in size. Looking at graphs, we see that with the current population of wolves in Yellowstone, we have seen that the population of Elk have a decrease of more than 50%. If the wolf population were to double, I can only infer
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that the elk would face total extinction from Yellowstone National park.
The extinction of the Elk population from Yellowstone would be detrimental for the surrounding areas.
Because there would be no elk at Yellowstone, we would see a decrease in visitors, especially hunters who enjoy hunting elk. We would also see a loss of money in the businesses that surround Yellowstone. Less visitors to Yellowstone mean less businesses for local restaurants and hotels. Less money for them means less tax money, which then means less money circulating back into Yellowstone in the end.
Lastly, there is a positive impact on Yellowstone from a doubling of the wolf population. We would see a huge increase of water animals, birds, bears, and etcetera. Without the elk, bees and other birds would have more flowers for pollination and food. Without any elks to erode the river banks, the water animals would flourish and would inherit clean homes and we might see them increase in number. Without the elk, the bears would have more berries so that they could build up fat so they can hibernate.
In the recent past, Yellowstone has experienced less deep snow. This has
forced
Overall, the doubling in the wolf population and a possible loss of all elk from Yellowstone would not be good for Yellowstone. Regardless of the positive effects it would have on the ecosystem, the huge loss of money is just not worth it. It is not good for the surrounding businesses and Yellowstone to lose money all because there are less visitors. Without enough money, Yellowstone might not be able to maintain the park. I believe that if a problem were ever to arise like a huge increase in the wolf population, we should get rid of the wolves and not let them destroy the elk population.
that the elk would face total extinction from Yellowstone National park.
The extinction of the Elk population from Yellowstone would be detrimental for the surrounding areas.
Because there would be no elk at Yellowstone, we would see a decrease in visitors, especially hunters who enjoy hunting elk. We would also see a loss of money in the businesses that surround Yellowstone. Less visitors to Yellowstone mean less businesses for local restaurants and hotels. Less money for them means less tax money, which then means less money circulating back into Yellowstone in the end.
Lastly, there is a positive impact on Yellowstone from a doubling of the wolf population. We would see a huge increase of water animals, birds, bears, and etcetera. Without the elk, bees and other birds would have more flowers for pollination and food. Without any elks to erode the river banks, the water animals would flourish and would inherit clean homes and we might see them increase in number. Without the elk, the bears would have more berries so that they could build up fat so they can hibernate.
In the recent past, Yellowstone has experienced less deep snow. This has
forced
Overall, the doubling in the wolf population and a possible loss of all elk from Yellowstone would not be good for Yellowstone. Regardless of the positive effects it would have on the ecosystem, the huge loss of money is just not worth it. It is not good for the surrounding businesses and Yellowstone to lose money all because there are less visitors. Without enough money, Yellowstone might not be able to maintain the park. I believe that if a problem were ever to arise like a huge increase in the wolf population, we should get rid of the wolves and not let them destroy the elk population.