Daniel Francis

Assignment 3

Profita, C. (2013, February 19). How returning wolves are changing Yellowstone.
Retrieved February 19, 2015, from
http://www.opb.org/news/blog/ecotrope/how-returning-wolves-are-changingyellowstone/
The blog is short but validates an argument of how the wolves have changed
Yellowstone. The web page states scientific evidence, which supports this change.
Further argues, the positive effects of reintroducing wolves. Profita, supports the
argument with not only scientific evidence, but also through a list of positive
reaction to the re-establishment of wolves. Giving support that multiple bio-systems
were affected by the actions of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. As before the blog
is short, nevertheless, effective in supporting the main argument. The webpage is a
blog, but since its from a .org site not a .com gives me confidence in the authors
argument.

Smith, J. (2002, January 1). Critter Catalog. Retrieved February 17, 2015, from
http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Canis_lupus
The author, Smith, gives a description of the Grey wolves. The article talks
not only about the morphology of the Grey Wolf, but also the social dynamics of the
Grey Wolf. The article goes into good detail in describing the wolf, in an organized
fashion. Smith uses scientific papers to give truth to his statements. The webpage
does not give support to the argument in my paper. However it gives great
background information on the Grey Wolf which is important in why the US and Fish
Wildlife Services reintroduced them into the Greater Northern Rocky areas. Using
scientific evidence, along with, being a school, .edu, sites. Makes the webpage a
great source.
Western Gray Wolf: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2014, September 24). Retrieved
February 7, 2015, from http://www.fws.gov/mountainprairie/species/mammals/wolf/
Grey Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains Update, talks about the recent
actives surrounding the reintroduction of wolves. The webpage talks about the
success of the grey wolves, and shows figure and maps to give readers a visual of
the number of wolves in the Northern Rocky Population. Also, to show readers where
the wolves were relocated. This article use government document to support their
evidence. This evidence, is produced after studies done on the area. Being a
government webpage, this article is highly reputable, and is an excellent source.

Duffield, J.W, Neher, C. J. (2008). Wolf Recovery in Yellowstone: Park Visitor

Attitudes, Expenditures, and Economic Impacts. 25(1). Retrieved 2015
Published by Yellowstone Science, Duffield and Neher article is a study on the
economic effects of the reintroduction of wolves. A very influential factor in
reintroducing wolves into that area. The article talks about the authors study. The
authors conducted an intensive study, through the Yellowstone Visitor Center. The
results are supported by scientific evidence. Along with, the results reflect opinion of
the most influential people. The visitors who contribute most to the economy
around Yellowstone Nation Park. Normally, non-peered reviewed articles are not
the best source. However, this article is backed by known group, and they
conducted there study directly through Yellowstone National Park.
WIldlfie, U. F. (1994). The Final Enviromental Impact Statement. In T. U.
InteriorService, The Rientroduction of Gray Wolves to Yellowstone Nation Park
And Central Idaho. Retrieved 2015
The Final Environmental Impact Statement, is a federal document that gives
alternatives to bring back wolves into the area, other that trapping and releasing.
More importantly the document states the each alternative will have on the
environment. Including the effects of trapping and releasing to reintroduce wolves
back into Yellowstone. They report backs it reasoning, mainly, with well structure
scientific studies. Being a government document, the report is great source
because the facts are well backed with great certainty.
William J. Ripple, R. L. (2012). Trophic cascades in Yellowstone: The first 15 years
after wolf reintroduction. Biological Conservation, 205-213.

Ripple and Beschta wanted to answer the question, how has the
reintroduction of Wolves into Yellowstone National Park, effected the age diversity
among stands of: Populus spp (Cottonwood), Populus tremuloides (Aspen), and Salix
spp (Willows). To achieve an answer, the authors had to look at effect the
reintroduction of wolves had on the trophic order (prey, predator, and plants). In
the discussion portion of the article, the authors talk about the success of young
Aspen saplings. Giving evidence that the reintroduction of wolves have been a
counter weight to the overabundance of browsers and grazers species, such as Elk.
Ripple and Beschta stated there has been a comeback in Aspen species and
restoration will continue since wolves have been reintroduced. Over all, this article
is mediocre. It does prove the point that wolves made a positive comeback in
Yellowstone by balancing out the ecosystem, and it does give supporting evidence.
However, sometimes the article was hard to follow making it difficult to understand
and pin point the evidence.
I have other sources, but I dont believe they are secondary sources.