The Gray Wolf's Negative Impact On The Environment

Before settlers began to migrate to California in the 1850’s, the Gray Wolf was abundant not only in California, but in other western states as well. The species helped to create a balance in the environment. In the west, wolves have lived in a variety of environments, from the high Sierra Nevadas to the deep national forests. With their fierce hunting skills and large territories, wolves were spread all over the west. As settlers migrated into California and began to establish farms and small settlements, wolves began to hunt livestock, which was an issue. To solve this issue, people were encouraged to hunt wolves. In 1924, the last wolf was killed, and for 89 years, no wolves were known to live in California.

INTERACTIONS WITH ECOSYSTEM (Logan, Rose)

The Gray Wolf has been known to have a very big environmental influence, whether it be a positive influence or a negative influence. They can rejuvenate an environment just as easily as they can help it decline. Wolves’ negative impact on an ecosystem stands with how they can prey on livestock, to the point where farmers would go and hunt them so that their livestock population was safer. However, this goes both ways. A wolf’s positive impact is that they can regulate and help provide for other species. They can regulate by not letting the elk population get too high. They can help provide for other species by leaving substantial leftovers when they hunt. The Gray Wolf is known as a keystone species for this reason. Without the wolves that rightfully belong in an ecosystem, the balance of an ecosystem is offset. By looking at Yellowstone Park, we also see