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Trophic cascades from wolves to grizzly bears or changing abundance of bears and alternate foods?

March 3, 2015

This is a Forum article commenting on: Ripple, W. J., Beschta, R. L., Fortin, J. K., & Robbins, C. T. (2014) Trophic cascades from wolves to grizzly bears in Yellowstone. Journal of Animal Ecology, 83, 223–233. Comparisons Ripple et al. (2014) used to demonstrate increased fruit availability and consumption by grizzly bears post-wolf reintroduction are flawed and tenuous at best. Importantly, a more parsimonious (than trophic cascades) hypothesis, not sufficiently considered by Ripple et al., exists and is better supported by available data I review.

Publication Year 2015
Title Trophic cascades from wolves to grizzly bears or changing abundance of bears and alternate foods?
DOI 10.1111/1365-2656.12338
Authors Shannon M. Barber-Meyer
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Animal Ecology
Index ID 70143510
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center