Key Takeaways:
- 1. Human activity is the primary factor affecting elk population numbers in the West, rather than predators like wolves and bears.
- 2. Some studies suggest that ungulate populations may actually increase in the presence of predators due to human wildlife managers overestimating predator effects.
- 3. Restoring ecosystems to a pre-extinction state by reintroducing keystone large carnivores like wolves may take decades and may be irreversible.
A study found that human activity, not wolves and bears, is the main driver affecting elk populations in the West. Some ungulate populations may increase in the presence of predators due to human wildlife managers' misconceptions. Restoring ecosystems by reintroducing large carnivores could take decades and may be irreversible, highlighting the importance of preserving keystone species.
Insight: The study emphasizes the complexity of ecosystem responses to predator reintroduction and the challenges in restoring ecosystems to their pre-extinction states, stressing the importance of conservation efforts to prevent further loss of keystone species.
This article was curated by memoment.jp from the feed source: Ars Technica.
Read the original article here: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/11/reintroduced-carnivores-impacts-on-ecosystems-are-still-coming-into-focus/
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