Before people understood their importance in the ecosystem, the _____ was hunted almost to extinction. Because of this, the ______ population grew much too large. They overgrazed and caused significant reduction in the population of ______. When the grey wolf was reintroduced, they began to naturally ______ the population of elk. This allowed the cottonwood tree population to _____. After several years of adjustment, all three populations ______ and showed healthy oscillation in the ecosystem.

Answer 1

Before people understood their importance in the ecosystem, the grey wolf was hunted almost to extinction. Because of this, the elk population grew much too large. They overgrazed and caused significant reduction in the population of cottonwood trees. When the grey wolf was reintroduced, they began to naturally control the population of elk. This allowed the cottonwood tree population to recover. After several years of adjustment, all three populations stabilized and showed healthy oscillation in the ecosystem.