tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post2297269412676359043..comments2024-03-28T02:29:13.507-07:00Comments on Legal Ruralism: Rural states that cry “Wolf!”Lisa R. Pruitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16469550950363542801noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-8074819131549093692015-10-18T19:42:57.511-07:002015-10-18T19:42:57.511-07:00One thing that is rarely mentioned when the wolf i...One thing that is rarely mentioned when the wolf introduction is brought up is that these wolves that were "reintroduced," are not the same wolves that evolved in the Yellowstone and surrounding areas, genetically speaking. Regardless, with the reintroduction, the wolfs' prey have been changing their patterns. The elk stick to the treeline more and don't eat vegetation down to the ground. Instead they raise their heads more often to look for wolves. This benefits the vegetation and allows it to grow taller. This allows the beaver (although now on the wolf's menu as well) to utilize this vegetation for food and shelter. This allows more beaver dams which helps during drought conditions and also benefits aquatic insects and fish. This is called a "trophic cascade" and can be very beneficial to the environment. <br /><br />However, scientists, judges, and politicians should be wary of too many wolves on an ecosystem. I am unaware about how much research has been done on wolves and overpopulation, but for now it seems to not be a huge problem. Many wolves leave the pack to search for a place to establish their own. This has spread wolves much farther and faster than what scientists originally expected. There is now a family of wolves in Siskiyou County, California. There are 2 adults and 5 pups, known as the Shasta Pack<br /><br />For article about the trophic cascade, see below:<br />http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/29/opinion/the-world-needs-wolves.html<br /><br />For photos of wolf pack in CA, see below:<br />https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2015/08/20/photo-shows-wolf-pups-in-northern-california/Taylor Callhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06064332744647001647noreply@blogger.com