YoungLehodeyIS312
Aspen trees
Biodiversity, Restoring Ecosystem and Mechanistic Theory
Aspen trees are deciduous plants typically thriving in the temperate forest in high altitude mountains in North America such as parts of the Yellowstone National Park. The trees are about 50-90 feet tall. Young aspen bark is important seasonal food for animals in early spring and it is also the top wood choice of beaver.
Aspen trees were diminishing in the Lamar Valley of the Yellowstone National Park in the 1990s. Elk were eating young aspen shoots before they had a chance to grow. It threatens the habitat of wildlife. To balance the ecosystem and to protect the biodiversity, the Park reintroduced wolves in 1995. The herbivores such as elk, bison, and deer are great food sources for wolves, which are carnivores. The leftovers are meals of coyotes, ravens, eagles, and red foxes. In 15 years, amid the strong growth of wolf population, the number of elk reduced to half. Elk have also shown different patterns of movement and watchfulness what scientists call the “ecological fear,” and it successively helped aspen tree’s comeback in the Lamar Valley, a large wolf pack habitat. Some trees have grown tall enough they were no longer susceptible to browsing by elk. At the same time, aspens have provided beaver with food, as well as wood for their dams and lodges, their population increased. Other aquatic and semiaquatic life such as fish, ducks, muskrats, geese, frogs, and turtles have subsequently benefited and prospered. Aspen trees have also reduced erosion and enhanced water quality ecologically. The experience of restoring of ecosystem and protecting biodiversity in the Park reminds me of the mechanistic theory☺.
Aspen trees
Biodiversity, Restoring Ecosystem and Mechanistic Theory
Aspen trees are deciduous plants typically thriving in the temperate forest in high altitude mountains in North America such as parts of the Yellowstone National Park. The trees are about 50-90 feet tall. Young aspen bark is important seasonal food for animals in early spring and it is also the top wood choice of beaver.
Aspen trees were diminishing in the Lamar Valley of the Yellowstone National Park in the 1990s. Elk were eating young aspen shoots before they had a chance to grow. It threatens the habitat of wildlife. To balance the ecosystem and to protect the biodiversity, the Park reintroduced wolves in 1995. The herbivores such as elk, bison, and deer are great food sources for wolves, which are carnivores. The leftovers are meals of coyotes, ravens, eagles, and red foxes. In 15 years, amid the strong growth of wolf population, the number of elk reduced to half. Elk have also shown different patterns of movement and watchfulness what scientists call the “ecological fear,” and it successively helped aspen tree’s comeback in the Lamar Valley, a large wolf pack habitat. Some trees have grown tall enough they were no longer susceptible to browsing by elk. At the same time, aspens have provided beaver with food, as well as wood for their dams and lodges, their population increased. Other aquatic and semiaquatic life such as fish, ducks, muskrats, geese, frogs, and turtles have subsequently benefited and prospered. Aspen trees have also reduced erosion and enhanced water quality ecologically. The experience of restoring of ecosystem and protecting biodiversity in the Park reminds me of the mechanistic theory☺.