Isle Royale Ecosystem Dynamics

Isle Royale, a secluded island in Lake Superior, is home to a long-standing predator-prey study involving wolves and moose. The wolf population has drastically declined due to climate change affecting ice bridge formation, leading to a trophic cascade impacting the ecosystem. Moose numbers have increased, affecting vegetation and beaver populations. The National Park Service is considering reintroducing wolves to restore balance, raising questions about human intervention in natural processes.

What makes Isle Royale one of the most revisited national parks in the United States?

• Its accessibility

• Its beauty and seclusion

• Its large human population

• Its tropical climate

What is the primary reason for the decline in the wolf population on Isle Royale?

• Disease outbreak

• Increased hunting

• Lack of food

• Climate change affecting ice bridges

What is the main focus of the Isle Royale Moose Wolf Project?

• Studying the vegetation

• Counting the abundance of wolves and moose

• Observing bird species

• Monitoring water quality

What is the current status of the wolf population on Isle Royale?

• There are no wolves left

• The population is stable

• There are two wolves remaining

• The population is increasing

What effect does the low wolf population have on the moose population?

• The moose population is unaffected

• The moose population is stable

• The moose population is increasing

• The moose population is decreasing

What is the significance of Isle Royale in terms of ecological studies?

• It has the largest wolf population

• It is the site of the shortest predator-prey study

• It is the site of the longest-lasting predator-prey study

• It has the most diverse ecosystem

What is a trophic cascade?

• A chain reaction in an ecosystem due to changes in predator populations

• A type of forest

• A method of counting animal populations

• A type of waterfall

How do beavers impact the ecosystem on Isle Royale?

• By reducing the moose population

• By increasing the wolf population

• By planting trees

• By building dams and altering water flow

What is the main question regarding the reintroduction of wolves to Isle Royale?

• How to increase the moose population

• Whether to mitigate the effects of climate change

• How to improve tourism

• Whether to build more ice bridges

What is the role of the National Park Service in the context of Isle Royale?

• To introduce new species

• To build more infrastructure

• To protect the park from human influence

• To increase tourism