Trophic cascades linking wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and small mammals
When large carnivores are extirpated from ecosystems that evolved with apex predators, these systems can change at the herbivore and plant trophic levels. Such changes across trophic levels are called cascading effects and they are very important to conservation. Studies on the effects of reintroduc...
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ftoregonstate:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:7h149q47q 2024-04-14T08:10:07+00:00 Trophic cascades linking wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and small mammals Miller, Brian J. Harlow, Henry J. Harlow, Tyler S. Biggins, Dean Ripple, William J. College of Forestry https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/articles/7h149q47q English [eng] eng unknown NRC Research Press https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/articles/7h149q47q Copyright Not Evaluated Article ftoregonstate 2024-03-21T15:42:27Z When large carnivores are extirpated from ecosystems that evolved with apex predators, these systems can change at the herbivore and plant trophic levels. Such changes across trophic levels are called cascading effects and they are very important to conservation. Studies on the effects of reintroduced wolves in Yellowstone National Park have examined the interaction pathway of wolves (Canis lupus L., 1758) to ungulates to plants. This study examines the interaction effects of wolves to coyotes to rodents (reversing mesopredator release in the absence of wolves). Coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823) generally avoided areas near a wolf den. However, when in the proximity of a den, they used woody habitats (pine or sage) compared with herbaceous habitats (grass or forb or sedge)– when they were away from the wolf den. Our data suggested a significant increase in rodent numbers, particularly voles (genus Microtus Schrank, 1798), during the 3-year study on plots that were within 3 km of the wolf den, but we did not detect a significant change in rodent numbers over time for more distant plots. Predation by coyotes may have depressed numbers of small mammals in areas away from the wolf den. These factors indicate a top–down effect by wolves on coyotes and subsequently on the rodents of the area. Restoration of wolves could be a powerful tool for regulating predation at lower trophic levels. Article in Journal/Newspaper Canis lupus ScholarsArchive@OSU (Oregon State University) |
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When large carnivores are extirpated from ecosystems that evolved with apex predators, these systems can change at the herbivore and plant trophic levels. Such changes across trophic levels are called cascading effects and they are very important to conservation. Studies on the effects of reintroduced wolves in Yellowstone National Park have examined the interaction pathway of wolves (Canis lupus L., 1758) to ungulates to plants. This study examines the interaction effects of wolves to coyotes to rodents (reversing mesopredator release in the absence of wolves). Coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823) generally avoided areas near a wolf den. However, when in the proximity of a den, they used woody habitats (pine or sage) compared with herbaceous habitats (grass or forb or sedge)– when they were away from the wolf den. Our data suggested a significant increase in rodent numbers, particularly voles (genus Microtus Schrank, 1798), during the 3-year study on plots that were within 3 km of the wolf den, but we did not detect a significant change in rodent numbers over time for more distant plots. Predation by coyotes may have depressed numbers of small mammals in areas away from the wolf den. These factors indicate a top–down effect by wolves on coyotes and subsequently on the rodents of the area. Restoration of wolves could be a powerful tool for regulating predation at lower trophic levels. |
author2 |
College of Forestry |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Miller, Brian J. Harlow, Henry J. Harlow, Tyler S. Biggins, Dean Ripple, William J. |
spellingShingle |
Miller, Brian J. Harlow, Henry J. Harlow, Tyler S. Biggins, Dean Ripple, William J. Trophic cascades linking wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and small mammals |
author_facet |
Miller, Brian J. Harlow, Henry J. Harlow, Tyler S. Biggins, Dean Ripple, William J. |
author_sort |
Miller, Brian J. |
title |
Trophic cascades linking wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and small mammals |
title_short |
Trophic cascades linking wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and small mammals |
title_full |
Trophic cascades linking wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and small mammals |
title_fullStr |
Trophic cascades linking wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and small mammals |
title_full_unstemmed |
Trophic cascades linking wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and small mammals |
title_sort |
trophic cascades linking wolves (canis lupus), coyotes (canis latrans), and small mammals |
publisher |
NRC Research Press |
url |
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/articles/7h149q47q |
genre |
Canis lupus |
genre_facet |
Canis lupus |
op_relation |
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/articles/7h149q47q |
op_rights |
Copyright Not Evaluated |
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1796307623673331712 |