In the early 1800's settlers came to the West. As more settlers came in with their cattle and sheep, the wolf population began to attack the rancher's cattle. Soon the government paid people to hunt the wolves and get rid of them. The plan worked so well that by the 1920's there weren't any wolves in Yellowstone at all. Because the wolves were gone, the elk population exploded. The elk began to roam Yellowstone in huge herds, without their predator, the wolf, they ate many Aspen trees until the Aspen population began to decline. in 1995 the National Park Service introduced 31 grey wolves into Yellowstone to see if they could solve this elk problem. Over the years the wolves have been thriving, the elk herds are held in balance by the wolf population and the Aspen trees are sprouting again. Wolves are a key species in keeping the ecosystem in Yellowstone healthy. For a population to be healthy, factors like food, nutrients, water and space must be available. If there is low food supply or over crowding the population suffers and can decrease. The decline could be from a population die off, or the population will leave the area. Does Utah have any ecosystems that are out of balance? Yep. Utah Lake has an overpopulation of carp. The carp are over populating the lake and taking space away from native species fishes. The natives are dying off and the carp are taking over. One solution being applied today is a "carp cleanup". Barges are collecting as many carp as they possibly pick up each winter. Is this strategy working? Time will tell.
What would your solution be?
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |