Before people understood their importance in the ecosystem, the_______ was hunted almost to extinction. Because of this, the________ population grew much too large. They overgrazed and caused significant reduction in the population of_________. When the grey wolf was reintroduced, they began to naturally_______ the population of elk. This allowed the cottonwood tree population to__________. After several years of adjustment, all three populations_______ and showed healthy oscillation in the ecosystem.
Before people understood their importance in the ecosystem, the grey wolf was hunted almost to extinction. Because of this, the elk population grew much too large. They overgrazed and caused a significant reduction in the population of cottonwood trees. When the grey wolf was reintroduced, they began to naturally control the population of elk. This allowed the cottonwood tree population to recover. After several years of adjustment, all three populations stabilized and showed healthy oscillation in the ecosystem.
