Overexploitation

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A famous example of the effects of overexploitation was wolves in Yellowstone National Park. They had been completely removed due to hunting and the fear of attacks on the livestock. However, without wolves, the population of elk and deer grew uncontrollably, leading to overgrazing. This damaged forests, streams, and habitats, leading to a domino effect of change for animals like beavers, birds, and fish. In 1995, wolves were reintroduced, which restored balance to ecosystems by controlling the elk population and allowing plants and trees to recover. Wolves are an example of a keystone species which is one that has a significant influence in their natural environment. This example shows how overhunting just a single species can cause such a big ripple throughout an ecosystem and the importance of protecting wildlife.