Should we (a) intervene and import new wolves to help control the moose population or (b) let the moose population grow until it exceeds its carrying capacity and suffers another population crash? Explain your reasoning.
2007-03-05 09:16:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Allow a hunting season or have a controlled harvest by the wild life people.
2007-03-05 09:23:05 · answer #1 · answered by puddog57 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go with (a). Letting the moose population exceed its carrying capacity would be like setting off a domino effect. The limiting factor, presumably, would be vegetation. By the time they start to die off from over-grazing, they could have already wreaked havoc on the island ecosystem. Other species that depend on that vegetation -- for food, habitat, whatever -- would feel the effects of a system thrown off balance.
If the wolves brought in are suitably diverse to build a healthy gene pool, they should be able to re-establish themselves. That solution has a much smaller chance of inflicting harmful ecological change.
2007-03-05 17:46:42 · answer #2 · answered by Ben H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reintroduce the wolves - they keep more than just the moose population at bay.
Besides, everyone loves wolves, except for farmers.
2007-03-05 17:24:33 · answer #3 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋