Trophic cascades from wolves to grizzly bears or changing abundance of bears and alternate foods?
This is a Forum article commenting on: Ripple, W. J., Beschta, R. L., Fortin, J. K., & Robbins, C. T. (2014) Trophic cascades from wolves to grizzly bears in Yellowstone. Journal of Animal Ecology, 83, 223-233. Comparisons Ripple et al. (2014) used to demonstrate increased fruit availability and consumption by grizzly bears post-wolf reintroduction are flawed and tenuous at best. Importantly, a more parsimonious (than trophic cascades) hypothesis, not sufficiently considered by Ripple et al., exists and is better supported by available data I review.
U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 - 37th St., SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401-7317, USA.
Shannon M
SM
Barber-Meyer
D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D001503:Ursidae / Q000502:physiology*; D019596:Wolves / Q000502:physiology*
Canis lupus; Ursus arctos; Yellowstone; grizzly bear; scat; serviceberry; study design; trophic cascades; wolf