Write a paragraph to explain the mechanism by which wolves could change the flow

Question

Write a paragraph to explain the mechanism by which wolves could change the flow of a river. use picture for guidance.

Trophic Cascades Model Trophic Cascades without Wolves Predators Wolves extirpated Ungulates browse woody species unimpeded by predation risk Prey Decreased recruitment of woody browse species aspen, cottonwood, willows,& others) Plants Loss of food web support for aquatic,avian, and other fauna Other Ecosystem Loss of riparian functions Loss of riparian beaver Channel incision& widening. loss of wetlands, loss of hydrologic connectivity between streams and floodplains Rivers Ripple and Beschta, 2004a

Explanation / Answer

Wolves are one of the keystone species in an ecosystem. They keep a constant check on the number of their prey species which are herbivores. If the population of wolves is reduced, the herbivore population increases. This would lead to a drastic change in the vegetation of the region. If the low land marsh areas are overgrazed by herbivores, the river course will be changed. If the mangroves are overgrazed by herbivores, they become dried up. So, the buffer zone between land and river will be lost. In the absence of marshlands, the river chooses another route to flow.

The ecological process in which the effect exerted by a top organism in a food chain is observed all the way down at the very bottom is referred to as 'trophic cascade'.

Introduction of wolves keeps a check on the deer population thereby indirectly affecting the vegetation of that area. Once the vegetation grows, it will reduce soil erosion and stabilize river banks. As a result the streams became narrow and more pools have formed which is ideal for wild life growth.

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