1. A keystone species is a species that other species depend on in an ecosystem. If wolves were removed from the ecosystem, it would change dramatically because there would no longer be a balance between predators and prey, and many organisms that depend on the wolf would die.

2. Carrying Capacity is the maximum population size that can be supported by the available resources. An example of this is as the wolf population decreases, elk populations increase. This causes exponential growth among the elks (for a limited amount of time). Likewise, if there is an increase in the wolf population, the elk population would decrease.

3. Any characteristics varying with an increase in population are considered to be density-dependent variables.
Limiting resources are affected by the increase in population.
If wolf population reaches carrying capacity, limited resources become scarce.

4. Factors that do no vary with an increase in population density are density-independent factors.
Climate is an example because climate change can cause severe weathers and natural disasters to occur, causing a decrease in the wolf population.

1. According to the graph on the next slide, the carrying capacity from the years 1995-2011 is approximately 174 individuals. Many factors determine this.


Intraspecific competition is a form of
competition in which members of the
same species compete for the same
resources in an ecosystem.
• Intraspecific competition occurs
when a population reaches carrying capacity.
• Wolves compete with each other,
exhibiting agonistic behavior, for a limited
amount of resources (territories, food,
mates, etc.).

1. The Elk and Bison population would stay among carrying capacity. Predation, competition, and natural selection would keep the ecosystem stable.

2. Without wolf competition, coyotes' population would increase. This increase would cause a decrease in small game and rodents. This leads to a decrease in foxes, hawks, and eagles population. (All reactions in an ecosystem are interrelated.)

3. Wolves are endangered and reintroduction would help them survive. This would cause a balance in the ecosystem, otherwise known as homeostasis.

4. The first 14 wolves introduced to Yellowstone Park would create a gene pool diversity.

1. The wolves would prey on livestock, thus affecting business of farming and/or ranching.

2. Wolves can over hunt animals such as deer and caribou, depleting food sources for other organisms.

3.The presence of wolves endangers nearby families living close to such areas. This would cause a safety issue among humans.
Wolves would try to move into private lands.

4. Wolf reintroduction is costly. The government can use the money on more important issues

5. Reintroduction of wolves reduces the availability of game animals for hunters.

Offer tour guides to lead kids and adults of all ages through the area and teach them along the way
Have children make posters of all the things that they have learned so that they can spread the word

GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED

We can also inform ranchers of ways to keep their properties safer:
Remove attractants - Wolves are attracted to dead carcasses as a food source. We can advise farmers and ranchers to burn or bury (at leasat 8 feet underground) a dead animal as soon as it dies.
Hazing/scaring devices - As a harmless form of preventing wolves from trespassing, we can encourage farmers and ranchers to invest in hazing/scaring devices, which range from emitting sound and/or lights.