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Why are species going extinct?
Fig 55.6
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Nearly Extinct Species: maybe only 100 individuals exist
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Extinction Vortex
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Attwater Prairie Chicken
As population declined, genetic diversity declined Similar to Fig 55.12
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Attwater Prairie Chicken
Individuals brought from other populations increased reproduction and population Similar to Fig 55.12
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Yellowstone NP 63 mi 54 mi 466 mi of roads
950 mi of backcountry trails 97 trailheads 287 backcountry campsites
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Wolves in Yellowstone National Park
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The last wolves in Yellowstone (1920’s)
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Wolves commonly live in packs
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Packs can kill larger prey
Social vs Solo
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Packs give the ability to obtain more food, but also mean sharing food, reduced chance of reproduction, and increased chance of diseases.
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Wolves are very territorial and will kill intruders
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Wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995
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Wolf relocation
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“hard” release: directly to new location In Yellowstone used“soft” release: Kept in 1 acre pens to acclimate to new environment
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Wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995
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Yellowstone area wolf packs 2004
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Wolf deaths 38 deaths= 33%
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The cost of wolves in Yellowstone NP:
Currently about 300 wolves 2003- 137 sheep and 66 cattle = $32,000 2004- 209 sheep, 57 cattle, and 6 other animals = $70,000
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Estimate millions of dollars in increased visitors
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Predator-predator interactions
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Predator-predator interactions
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Yellowstone Grizzly Bear population increases
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Wolves are decreasing the elk population
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Benefits of decreasing herbivore populations
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Increased Riparian Habitat
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Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 2
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Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 2
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Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 3
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Are wolves responsible?
year Fig 5
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high risk low risk
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Are wolves responsible?
year Fig 5
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Protection vs herbivory
gully depth vs browsing Fig 6
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The greatest difference has been in the deepest gullies, which are at the greatest risk of erosion.
Fig 6
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The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP has had numerous positive benefits.
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The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP has had numerous positive benefits: More food available for other carnivores
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The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP has had numerous positive benefits: Increased Riparian Habitat Fig 3
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Animal behavior is unpredictable and inexplicable
Bears (1993) Ian Stirling et al., Weldon Owen Pty Ltd pg 231
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