What happened to Yellowstone National Park when wolves disappeared?
the deer population increased
the bear population increased
the willow tree population increased
the grassy areas increased
When wolves disappeared from Yellowstone National Park, several changes occurred in the ecosystem:
1. The deer population increased: With fewer predators, the deer population exploded. They overgrazed vegetation, causing a decline in plant diversity.
2. The bear population increased: The absence of wolves allowed the bear population to grow. Bears opportunistically fed on the increased number of deer carcasses left by hunters.
3. The willow tree population decreased: Due to the excessive grazing by the overpopulated deer, the willow population declined significantly. Willows were a primary food source for the deer and their decline had a cascading effect on other species.
4. The grassy areas increased: Without wolves to control the deer population and suppress their grazing, grasses flourished in some areas of the park. This had negative impacts on other plant species and altered the landscape considerably.