Exam #4 W 4/23 in class (bring cheat sheet) Review T 4/22 at 5pm in PAI 3.02.

•Exam #4 W 4/23 in class(bring cheat sheet)

•Review T 4/22 at 5pm in PAI 3.02

Ecology: We are all connected and interdependent

CB 52.12

Carrying Capacity

exponential growth

stationary phase

Wolves in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park

The last wolves in Yellowstone (1920’s)

Wolves commonly live in packs

Social vs Solo

Packs can kill larger prey

Packs give protection and ability to get more food, but also mean sharing food, reduced chance of reproduction, and increased chance of diseases.

Wolves are very territorial and will kill intruders

Wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995

Wolf relocation

“hard” release:directly to new location

In Yellowstone used“soft” release:Kept in 1 acre pens to acclimate to new environment

Wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995

http://www.forwolves.org/ralph/historical.html

Yellowstone area wolf packs 2004

Wolf deaths 1995-2005

38 deaths= 33%

Currently about 300 wolves 2003- 137 sheep and 66 cattle = $32,000

2004- 209 sheep, 57 cattle, and 6 other animals = $70,000

The cost of wolves in Yellowstone NP:

Estimate millions of dollars in increased visitors

Predator-predator interactions

Predator-predator interactions

CB 55.12

Yellowstone Grizzly Bear population increases

Wolves are decreasing the elk population

Benefits of decreasing herbivore populations

Increased Riparian Habitat

Fig 2

Increased Riparian Habitat

Fig 2

Increased Riparian Habitat

Fig 3

Increased Riparian Habitat

Fig 5

Are wolves responsible?

year1998 1999 2000 2001 1998 1999 2000 2001

Fig 6

Protection vs herbivory

gully depth vs browsing

The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP has had numerous positive benefits.

The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP has had numerous positive benefits:More food available for other carnivores

Fig 3

The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP has had numerous positive benefits:Increased Riparian Habitat

•Exam #4 W 4/23 in class(bring cheat sheet)

•Review T 4/22 at 5pm in PAI 3.02