Come to Wyoming

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by rionapo

Its bottom line: not true but it's not because trophic cascades aren't real. Instead, the elk (not deer, as the video says) had damaged Yellowstone beyond restoration before wolves were reintroduced.

No way to damage Yellowstone beyond restoration. Scientists were shocked by how quickly Mt. St. Helens recovered from far worse devastation. Nature is very powerful.

Mike

[daveb]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

No way to damage Yellowstone beyond restoration. Scientists were shocked by how quickly Mt. St. Helens recovered from far worse devastation. Nature is very powerful.

Mike

I totally agree on that.

[rionapo]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

No way to damage Yellowstone beyond restoration. Scientists were shocked by how quickly Mt. St. Helens recovered from far worse devastation. Nature is very powerful.

Mike

Beyond restoration means wolves could not undo damage to aspens, etc. done by elk. For example, the video talks about aspen regrowth; the article refers to studies that show it hasn't happened. Does that means wolves have no value? Of course not. It means that after an ecosystem has been significantly disrupted it probably won't return to its original state. Here in NM, for example, major overgrazing in the 1870s followed by a significant drought in the 1880s created irreversible changes (erosion, grassland losses, among others) in the environment. Our present drought and increased human population will probably do similar things again. Restoring a piece of an earlier ecosystem won't recreate that ecosystem though it may be important for stability in the new one. In the case of Mt. St. Helens, it may be true that things are growing again but I doubt that the lava, etc. is gone. The ecosystem is adapting to its presence, not reverting to what it was before.

Don

[86Scotty]

Right by Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone/Canyon Lodge

[rionapo]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

Right by Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone/Canyon Lodge

Nice. We hoped to encounter wolves in Minnesota last fall but weren't so lucky.

Don

[86Scotty]

That was with a cell phone. No time to get the camera out but it was cool to see. May be a once in a lifetime thing for this Tennesseean.

[macmcintire]

[2horsegarage]

If my van ever gets done... I will be there a minimum of two times this coming spring / summer. Love darn near every inch of that wild country. Wind Rivers, Tetons, Bridger, Yellowstone, Jackson, Pinedale are all on my list if I can get them in this year.

[macmcintire]

31 photos of Wyoming that will make you want to Sportsmobile there.

http://www.movoto.com/blog/opinions/photos-of-wyoming/

[bettyford]

Mac your given away our little secret.
Just kidding you all must stop by the shop and say hello if your in Jackson.
I have Shower there and you can wash your van if you like.
Ron