In Yellowstone National Park, elk preferred to browse on specific plants, such as willow and aspen trees.The rapid increase in elk after wolves were removed resulted in what change, if any, to the community structure of the area?
A) There was no change; communities tend to remain balanced regardless of organisms' feeding habits.
B) Willow and aspen were stimulated to outcompete each other.
C) Willow and aspen were stimulated to grow faster, increasing forest density.
D) Willow and aspen were depleted, and the forest eventually changed to meadow habitat.
E) Wolves returned naturally and restored the balance of the ecosystem.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rapid increase in elk population led to excessive browsing on willow and aspen trees, which eventually caused a decline in their populations. With the depletion of these trees, the forest ecosystem transitioned to a meadow habitat. This is an example of how changes in the population of one species can have ripple effects on the entire ecosystem.

In Yellowstone National Park, Elk Preferred to Browse on Specific