Yellowstone Wolves

As the number of gray wolves in Yellowstone increases, the number of aspen trees ______________.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Due to hunting and competition from the bears, wolves and mountain lions, the coyote has died out. What is the likely effect on the rabbit population?

• The rabbit population will increase in numbers.

• The rabbit population will die out too.

• The rabbit population does not change.

• The bears will eat the rabbits.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

When Yellowstone National Park was created in the late 1800s, wolves were on the decline. The last wolves in Yellowstone were killed in 1926, but in the 1800s, there were between 100-160 wolves in the park. In 1995, gray wolves were reintroduced to the park.

Which graph (drawn in red) below shows a prediction of how the population would change if there was less water available in the ecosystem?

• 
• 
• 
• There would be no change to carrying capacity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

How long were the wolves absent from Yellowstone National Park?

• 1 year

• 5 years

• 10 years

• 70 years

How would Yellowstone change if the wolves were removed again?

• Everything would stay the same as the wolves had no effect.

• Deer would come back to the areas they now avoid and overgraze on the vegetation.

• The weather would change back to normal and it would be very cold.

• More bears would populate the park

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

When were the wolves reintroduced?

• 1989

• 1886

• 2003

• 1995

Explain how the behavior of the elk changed in response to the wolves.

• They did not change their behavior and therefore most elk died.

• The elk stayed away from the areas the wolves were. As a result, the trees were able to grow again.

• All the elk left the park and did not return.

• The wolves were not able to capture the elk.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is one way the rivers changed because of the wolves?

• forest stabilized as there was less erosion

• the rivers became bigger as more water flowed

• less water flowed as the wolves caused a change in the climate

What impact did the reintroduction of wolves have on the Yellowstone ecosystem?

• Increased biodiversity and improved ecosystem balance

• Decreased biodiversity and ecosystem imbalance

• No significant impact on the ecosystem

• Caused extinction of several species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which species' population was directly controlled by the presence of wolves in Yellowstone?

• Elk

• Bison

• Grizzly bears

• Coyotes

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4