The Wolf and the Web of Life

1. The Wolf and the Web of Life - Brianna Morrow

2. Wolves are vitally important to the ecosystem because ….. • They are agents of natural selection • They contribute to the health and strength of their prey species so that the stronger and healthier animals are left to breed and produce more offspring • Wolves also help decrease incidence of disease and parasite transmission among ungulates like deer ,moose and elk , by removing sick animals from the herds

3. Another way wolves are important would be because they keep ungulate populations in check by … • Contributing to biodiversity and natural processes in the ecosystem . • Wolves remove themselves from populations when they have been there for long periods of time • This prevents killing the vegetation and also deaths of small mammals , deer and moose

4. Other ways wolves contribute to biodiversity would be … • Leaving the carcasses for animals that they prey upon to become food for other animals like bears , ravens , eagles and other scavengers • They also help control the coyote population , they eat the prey that the coyote cannot and leave smaller preys for smaller predators

5. Wolves are also beneficial to the economy because … • In the summer many tourist visit Canada's Algonquin Provincials Park to attend organized wolf howls • Most wolves are usually heard but not seen • The chances of seeing a wild wolf have booted tourism in the Yellow Stone Nation Park area • All of these attractions have the potential to bring millions of tourists dollars to the Northeast , Southeast and Southern Rookies area