The image below illustrates a trophic cascade involving wolves which historically were an apex predator on herbivorous elk in the western United States in places such as Yellowstone Park. Wolf numbers were once significantly reduced by overhunting but their numbers are now increasing due to conservation and reintroduction efforts. Which statement accurately describes the trophic interaction that is occurring in these communities? Reintroduction of wolves has decreased the number of herbivores which has caused increased plant growth. Reintroduction of wolves has decreased the number of herbivores which has caused decreased plant growth. The number of wolves in the community does not seem to impact the trophic structure since there are still so few wolves. Reintroduction of wolves has increased the number of herbivores which has caused increased plant growth.
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Wolves did not inhabit Yellowstone National Park from the 1930s until 1995, when 14 gray wolves were introduced by the National Park Service and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2004, there were 16 packs with about 10 wolves per pack. Changes in the ecosystem included a decline in elk and the return of saplings which had been absent during the wolves absence in Yellowstone. Explain how the introduction of a top carnivore can affect vegetation in an ecosystem.
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You are studying the change in population size of elk over time in three different regions. In these regions, wolves are a natural predator of elk; bison are a competitor of elk, as they eat the same types of primary producers. Read the descriptions of the three different regions (A, B, & C) below. Which is the most appropriate per capita birth and death rates you would likely observe for elk in region B? FYI, the other two options for per capita birth and death rates are for the other two regions. Region Description A Elk are present, but wolves and bison have been eradicated from the region due to a massive amount of overhunting. B Wolves have been eradicated from the region due to a massive amount of overhunting, but bison and elk are still present. C Wolves, bison and elk are present in the region. b = 0.4 and d = 0.5 b = 0.8 and d = 0.1 b = 0.6 and d = 0.3
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