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“When wolves are around, you no longer get this boom-bust cycle in carrion availability,” said the study’s lead author, Chris Wilmers, who conducted his work as a Ph.D. student in ecosystem sciences at UC Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources. “Wolves provide a steady supply of carrion for the scavengers throughout the winter, whether it is mild or severe.”
Gray wolves were once found throughout North America, but were nearly hunted to extinction by 1970. Since the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reintroduced wolves to Yellowstone in 1995, a growing body of research is finding that this top carnivore, which has been making a comeback, is an essential player in the region’s ecosystem. There are now 31 gray wolves at Yellowstone.
via 03.21.2005 – Wolves alleviate impact of climate change on food supply, finds new study.