Question

Michigan's Isle Royale is an island located in Lake Superior that is 45 miles long and 9 miles wide. Ecologists estimate that the moose population on the island has been there since approximately the year 1900. The wolf population on the island, on the other hand, has been there only since the winter of 1949. Weather conditions had to be calm and cold enough for the lake to freeze so that the first wolves could make the passage over to the island. When the wolves arrived, they were greeted with a large moose population that had no predators. The moose population was at a dangerously high level but was kept in check by the arrival of the wolves. This "harmonious" pattern continued for at least 20 years.In 1982, the wolf population suddenly crashed because of a new canine virus believed to have been carried to the island carried on the shoe of a human traveler. While the wolf population size decreased from 50 to 14 individuals in a year, the moose population increased. However, the winter of 1996 was extremely harsh and the moose population experienced a major crash. More than 500 moose died during the winter months, reducing the population to less than 800 animals.What most likely happened after the wolves first arrived on the island?

Answer 1

After the first arrival of the wolves on the island, they actually saved the moose population, as well as the vegetation on the island, even though that may sound absurd.

The moose population was so high that they were right on the edge to rich a number that is not sustainable. That would have caused overgrazing and destruction of the vegetation on the island. Once there was not going to be more food, the moose population would have starved to death.

The wolves arrived on the island just on time. They started to hunt the moose, mostly the old ones and the youngsters, thus decreasing their numbers, but also slowing their reproduction. The number of the wolves was not growing too much because the territory and the food source for them was limited. That led to stabilization and balance in the ecosystem.