Can restoring wolves aid in lynx recovery?
Abstract Herein, we examine the hypothesis that relatively low densities of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) and the imperiled status of lynx (Lynx canadensis) may be partially due to an ecological cascade caused by the extirpation of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in most of the conterminous United Sta...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2011-12-01
|
| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.59 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850064475462303744 |
|---|---|
| author | William J. Ripple Aaron J. Wirsing Robert L. Beschta Steven W. Buskirk |
| author_facet | William J. Ripple Aaron J. Wirsing Robert L. Beschta Steven W. Buskirk |
| author_sort | William J. Ripple |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Herein, we examine the hypothesis that relatively low densities of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) and the imperiled status of lynx (Lynx canadensis) may be partially due to an ecological cascade caused by the extirpation of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in most of the conterminous United States decades ago. This hypothesis focuses on 2 plausible mechanisms, one involving “mesopredator release” of the coyote (C. latrans), which expanded its distribution and abundance continentally following the ecological extinction of wolves over the temperate portion of their geographic range. In the absence of wolves, coyotes may have affected lynx via increased predation on snowshoe hares, on which the lynx specializes, and/or by direct killing of lynx. The second mechanism involves increased browsing pressure by native and domestic ungulates following the declines in wolves. A recovery of long‐absent wolf populations could potentially set off a chain of events triggering a long‐term decrease in coyotes and ungulates, improved plant communities, and eventually an increase in hares and lynx. This prediction, and others that we make, are testable. Ecological implications for the lynx may be dependent upon whether wolves are allowed to achieve ecologically effective populations where they recolonize or are reintroduced in lynx habitat. We emphasize the importance of little‐considered trophic and competitive interactions when attempting to recover an endangered carnivore such as the lynx. © 2011 The Wildlife Society. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e6f51c969c5c45f9be6e6d57c78bb683 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2328-5540 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2011-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| spelling | doaj-art-e6f51c969c5c45f9be6e6d57c78bb6832025-08-20T02:49:17ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55402011-12-0135451451810.1002/wsb.59Can restoring wolves aid in lynx recovery?William J. Ripple0Aaron J. Wirsing1Robert L. Beschta2Steven W. Buskirk3Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USASchool of Forest Resources, Box 352100, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USADepartment of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USADepartment of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USAAbstract Herein, we examine the hypothesis that relatively low densities of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) and the imperiled status of lynx (Lynx canadensis) may be partially due to an ecological cascade caused by the extirpation of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in most of the conterminous United States decades ago. This hypothesis focuses on 2 plausible mechanisms, one involving “mesopredator release” of the coyote (C. latrans), which expanded its distribution and abundance continentally following the ecological extinction of wolves over the temperate portion of their geographic range. In the absence of wolves, coyotes may have affected lynx via increased predation on snowshoe hares, on which the lynx specializes, and/or by direct killing of lynx. The second mechanism involves increased browsing pressure by native and domestic ungulates following the declines in wolves. A recovery of long‐absent wolf populations could potentially set off a chain of events triggering a long‐term decrease in coyotes and ungulates, improved plant communities, and eventually an increase in hares and lynx. This prediction, and others that we make, are testable. Ecological implications for the lynx may be dependent upon whether wolves are allowed to achieve ecologically effective populations where they recolonize or are reintroduced in lynx habitat. We emphasize the importance of little‐considered trophic and competitive interactions when attempting to recover an endangered carnivore such as the lynx. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.59Canada lynxCanis lupuscompetitioncoyoteendangered speciesgray wolf |
| spellingShingle | William J. Ripple Aaron J. Wirsing Robert L. Beschta Steven W. Buskirk Can restoring wolves aid in lynx recovery? Wildlife Society Bulletin Canada lynx Canis lupus competition coyote endangered species gray wolf |
| title | Can restoring wolves aid in lynx recovery? |
| title_full | Can restoring wolves aid in lynx recovery? |
| title_fullStr | Can restoring wolves aid in lynx recovery? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can restoring wolves aid in lynx recovery? |
| title_short | Can restoring wolves aid in lynx recovery? |
| title_sort | can restoring wolves aid in lynx recovery |
| topic | Canada lynx Canis lupus competition coyote endangered species gray wolf |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.59 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT williamjripple canrestoringwolvesaidinlynxrecovery AT aaronjwirsing canrestoringwolvesaidinlynxrecovery AT robertlbeschta canrestoringwolvesaidinlynxrecovery AT stevenwbuskirk canrestoringwolvesaidinlynxrecovery |