Event Title
The Ecological Implications of Wolf Re-Introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Natural Resource Management
Mentor Information
C. "Griff" Griffin
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center 1142
Start Date
11-4-2012 1:30 PM
Keywords
Environment
Abstract
Predators are the creatures we fear the most, understand the least, and are often vital to ecosystem health. During the settlement of the United States, wolves were hunted and trapped to near extinction. Fortunately, re-introduction has brought the American wolf back from the brink of extinction. Wolf re-introduction was first done in Yellowstone National Park. The introduction of Yellowstone wolf predation redefined the grazing habits of many herbivores helping much of the park's vegetation and overall ecosystem regenerate to its former health. The information Yellowstone provides is invaluable in the planning for future wolf re-introduction into other parks. Rocky Mountain National Park is at the forefront of this looming decision. A lack of predators means elk have exceeded the carrying capacity and altering vegetation. Data presented will show what future ecological implications the re-introduction of wolves may have in the park.
The Ecological Implications of Wolf Re-Introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park
Kirkhof Center 1142
Predators are the creatures we fear the most, understand the least, and are often vital to ecosystem health. During the settlement of the United States, wolves were hunted and trapped to near extinction. Fortunately, re-introduction has brought the American wolf back from the brink of extinction. Wolf re-introduction was first done in Yellowstone National Park. The introduction of Yellowstone wolf predation redefined the grazing habits of many herbivores helping much of the park's vegetation and overall ecosystem regenerate to its former health. The information Yellowstone provides is invaluable in the planning for future wolf re-introduction into other parks. Rocky Mountain National Park is at the forefront of this looming decision. A lack of predators means elk have exceeded the carrying capacity and altering vegetation. Data presented will show what future ecological implications the re-introduction of wolves may have in the park.