[RickS]

Who says wolves are cuddly? I don't believe cattle and livestock should be allowed on public lands at all. Ranchers are the cause of their own problems.

[Rancher]

[RickS]

LOSS OF PREDATORS AFFECTING ECOSYSTEM HEALTH 4-9-12 The study this story is based on is available online: http://hdl.handle.net/1957/28411 CORVALLIS, Ore. – A survey on the loss in the Northern Hemisphere of large predators, particularly wolves, concludes that current populations of moose, deer, and other large herbivores far exceed their historic levels and are contributing to disrupted ecosystems. The research, published today by scientists from Oregon State University, examined 42 studies done over the past 50 years. It found that the loss of major predators in forest ecosystems has allowed game animal populations to greatly increase, crippling the growth of young trees and reducing biodiversity. This also contributes to deforestation and results in less carbon sequestration, a potential concern with climate change. “These issues do not just affect the United States and a few national parks,” said William Ripple, an OSU professor of forestry and lead author of the study. “The data from Canada, Alaska, the Yukon, Northern Europe and Asia are all showing similar results. There’s consistent evidence that large predators help keep populations of large herbivores in check, with positive effects on ecosystem health.” Densities of large mammalian herbivores were six times greater in areas without wolves, compared to those in which wolves were present, the researchers concluded. They also found that combinations of predators, such as wolves and bears, can create an important synergy for moderating the size of large herbivore populations. “Wolves can provide food that bears scavenge, helping to maintain a healthy bear population,” said Robert Beschta, a professor emeritus at OSU and co-author of the study. “The bears then often prey on young moose, deer or elk – in Yellowstone more young elk calves are killed by bears than by wolves, coyotes and cougars combined.” In Europe, the coexistence of wolves with lynx also resulted in lower deer densities than when wolves existed alone. In recent years, OSU researchers have helped lead efforts to understand how major predators help to reduce herbivore population levels, improve ecosystem function and even change how herbivores behave when they feel threatened by predation – an important aspect they call the “ecology of fear.” “In systems where large predators remain, they appear to have a major role in sustaining the diversity and productivity of native plant communities, thus maintaining healthy ecosystems,” said Beschta. “When the role of major predators is more fully appreciated, it may allow managers to reconsider some of their assumptions about the management of wildlife.” In Idaho and Montana, hundreds of wolves are now being killed in an attempt to reduce ranching conflicts and increase game herd levels. The new analysis makes clear that the potential beneficial ecosystem effects of large predators is far more pervasive, over much larger areas, than has often been appreciated. It points out how large predators can help maintain native plant communities by keeping large herbivore densities in check, allow small trees to survive and grow, reduce stream bank erosion, and contribute to the health of forests, streams, fisheries and other wildlife. It also concludes that human hunting, due to its limited duration and impact, is not effective in preventing hyper-abundant densities of large herbivores. This is partly “because hunting by humans is often not functionally equivalent to predation by large, wide-ranging carnivores such as wolves,” the researchers wrote in their report. “More studies are necessary to understand how many wolves are needed in managed ecosystems,” Ripple said. “It is likely that wolves need to be maintained at sufficient densities before we see their resulting effects on ecosystems.” The research was published online today in the European Journal of Wildlife Research, a professional journal. “The preservation or recovery of large predators may represent an important conservation need for helping to maintain the resiliency of northern forest ecosystems,” the researchers concluded, “especially in the face of a rapidly changing climate.”

[rasbo]

deer and elk are my natural prey also.I pay well to harvest and eat them,right along side my home grown veggies..soon my own chickens and eggs will be from my own home..all free range,except the veggies,they are a high fence product...tell us what you eat rick,and the consequences of keeping yourself alive in the grand scheme of things.your not a resident here,do you reside on a small piece of land and live off it.Do you live in san francisco in a flat,and buy your produce from a farmer,or meat from a rancher.or a posh li'l market that buys meat and produce from a farmer or rancher.where do you get this magic food that comes from nowhere,to fuel you and your ilk that costs states and its taxpayers so much money,wolves are here to stay,not at all in danger of becoming extinct.With proper management, which is in place, why are you still shouting from the roof tops all your nonsense...Is the power running your computer from your own li'l wind farm?Or is it from a dam? Its not just rick out there,there are millions of people out there rick.They have to eat,and have to bang away on computers,cut trails through wilderness,pave roads.burn fuels.seems to me folks have it pretty much under control and getting better..This isn't the 1800's no more.changes have to be made,there will be sacrifices also,,Get real rick..

[trestle]

[Schenk]

[onemoremile]

Schenck, I would kind of disagree. The hunters are willing and able to do a better job; they are an effective tool. The issue with that statement falls more to the failure of the wildlife managers.

[RickS]

Wolves are perfectly capable of keeping the deer, elk, moose, etc in check. Wolves hunt year round.

[RickS]

Not as effective as wolves. Wolves hunt year round, so they do a much better job keeping the elk, deer, moose, etc in check.

[Schenk]

[Dave Workman]

[Snowbrushy]

[RickS]

No question, when it comes to just wildlife in general, hunters by far kill much more wildlife than wolves.

[Schenk]

Survey says: Hunting is an effective way to manage wildlife populations. Thank you.

[onemoremile]