mcnerney
Administrator
Here is a pretty interesting video that Paul sent me on wolfs in Yellowstone National Park and their impact on the ecosystem.
How Wolves Change Rivers
Larry
How Wolves Change Rivers
Larry
How Wolfs Have Changed Yellowstone NP
- Thread starter mcnerney
- Start date
fredaevans
Well-known member
Now that has a cool factor of a solid 10 out of 10.
Fred
Fred
Eddie O'Neill
Well-known member
Now that I did enjoy. Just shows you how Mother Nature works
gt05254
Well-known member
That film certainly has some nice footage. However, the reason(s) willows are taller in YNP in parts of the park these days may not be as simple as is portrayed in it. Trophic cascading is but one neat, tidy explanation for taller willows; there are others. Not all researchers actively involved in studies along those lines in the Park agree that it is the reason.
If you do an internet search along the lines of "trophic cascade Yellowstone", you can spend days reading about it.
Gary
If you do an internet search along the lines of "trophic cascade Yellowstone", you can spend days reading about it.
Gary
mcnerney
Administrator
Gary: You are probably correct, nothing is ever as simple as it is sometimes portrayed, still an interesting video.
Larry
Larry
shortyb
Well-known member
Great footage, I kept saying "those are elk, not deer" when he would mention deer but show film of elk lol.
I actually met some people last summer that were learning about wolf reintroduction. It's always a debate what the impact is, none the less it is good to see them back in the parks. Out of the parks how ever ranchers would tell you how bad they have gotten.
B
I actually met some people last summer that were learning about wolf reintroduction. It's always a debate what the impact is, none the less it is good to see them back in the parks. Out of the parks how ever ranchers would tell you how bad they have gotten.
B
gfirob
Well-known member
This is a lovely little film, but it is entirely a piece of propaganda. I happen to agree with its political point of view, but its use of very evocative and beautiful imagery (breathtaking scenic, adorable baby animals and so on), a breathless, intensely sincere British narrator (who sounds as if he is giving a speech), sincere music, and a very simple and linear connect-the-dots structure with the awe-struck conclusion and pay-off that it is the river itself that changes, all add up to a big sales pitch, an advocacy piece. Nice one, but it is hardly natural history or science.
Nature is very complicated, and meddling with it (whether killing the wolves or bringing them back or building a dam or tearing it out) almost always has unintended consequences that may not show up for centuries. Protecting and understanding our rivers and our natural environment is very important, but I am always uncomfortable with this kind of skillful and manipulative production. I’m afraid they appeal to the emotional and not to the thoughtful reflection that the subject deserves.
Nature is very complicated, and meddling with it (whether killing the wolves or bringing them back or building a dam or tearing it out) almost always has unintended consequences that may not show up for centuries. Protecting and understanding our rivers and our natural environment is very important, but I am always uncomfortable with this kind of skillful and manipulative production. I’m afraid they appeal to the emotional and not to the thoughtful reflection that the subject deserves.
Nice video, but I'm "pro" apex predator (everywhere, not just in YNP). I can see gfirob's point and I'm sure the anti-wolf crowd would have issues with this video.
Some of the claims about barren slopes stabilizing are certainly true, but I can't help but think that has been an on-going, natural process since those devastating wildfires of 1988.
Riparian habitat returning as the wolves keep the elk herd on the move all makes sense. I guess I'm a little surprised that it can happen in less than twenty (20) years since re-introduction has taken place.
My family and I visited Hardware Ranch here in Utah over Christmas to view the wintering elk... talk about a herd that can use a few apex predators to thin out the weak and the old.
Some of the claims about barren slopes stabilizing are certainly true, but I can't help but think that has been an on-going, natural process since those devastating wildfires of 1988.
Riparian habitat returning as the wolves keep the elk herd on the move all makes sense. I guess I'm a little surprised that it can happen in less than twenty (20) years since re-introduction has taken place.
My family and I visited Hardware Ranch here in Utah over Christmas to view the wintering elk... talk about a herd that can use a few apex predators to thin out the weak and the old.
chechem
Well-known member
Thanks. I enjoyed the video.
But the wolf populations are continuing to increase in YNP.
If they overpopulate, then what? I wonder what limiting factors maintain wolf populations.
Very interesting.
But the wolf populations are continuing to increase in YNP.
If they overpopulate, then what? I wonder what limiting factors maintain wolf populations.
Very interesting.
From 2011 to 2013, the YNP wolf population has dropped 25%.
stimulator2
Well-known member
That is an interesting piece of knowlege.Very nice video
chechem
Well-known member
I thought we agreed to spell it "wolves".
fyshstykr
Well-known member
I thought the proper spelling was 'Woof'![poke]I thought we agreed to spell it "wolves".
itchmesir
Well-known member
Thought that's how we spelled "politicians"I thought we agreed to spell it "wolves".
roadkill1948
Well-known member
Is the reason known?
Yes, and it's not a huge number by national standards (~18-20 animals). Most were shot (legally) outside of the park, a couple were poached, and some road-killed. Last estimate I saw was nine (9) packs inside the park totaling about seventy-eight (78) wolves. The early management plan back in the '90's estimated that the park could sustain ten (10) packs, so this is not too alarming.
My daughter and I were fortunate enough to have a close encounter back in 2012 just after a hike near Hayden Valley... while this young male focused on me, my daughter snapped this shot.
chechem
Well-known member
Nice photo. Thanks.Yes, and it's not a huge number by national standards (~18-20 animals). Most were shot (legally) outside of the park, a couple were poached, and some road-killed. Last estimate I saw was nine (9) packs inside the park totaling about seventy-eight (78) wolves. The early management plan back in the '90's estimated that the park could sustain ten (10) packs, so this is not too alarming.
My daughter and I were fortunate enough to have a close encounter back in 2012 just after a hike near Hayden Valley... while this young male focused on me, my daughter snapped this shot.
"Woof"