Blog #6
Title: It All Started With a Few Trout. Now Yellowstone's Iconic Birds Face 'Collapse'
Author: Todd Wilkinson
Date Published: July 2, 2018
Source: National Geographic
URL: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/07/yellowstone-lake-trout-trumpeter-swan-avian-collapse-animals/
More and more birds are diminishing in Yellowstone National Park right before our eyes. More and more bird species are at the edge of survival. This is caused by lake trout eradicating major numbers of cutthroat trout; climate change altering the habitat; and sensitive species being displaced by humans. The Lake Trout's consumption of millions of cutthroat trout made other species that rely on them got affected as well and started hunting different animals. The biggest affect is with fish eating birds that have decreased in population dramatically, specifically the osprey. Another affect was eagles started hunting birds, depleting the gulls, loons, and swan populations, as well as Canada geese. Loons in particular have had a drop in population size because of eagle depredation, human disturbance, and abnormally high waters swamping their nests. Yellowstone is trying to help the populations of bird and fish species, while not affecting the natural order of things too significantly.
Author: Todd Wilkinson
Date Published: July 2, 2018
Source: National Geographic
URL: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/07/yellowstone-lake-trout-trumpeter-swan-avian-collapse-animals/
More and more birds are diminishing in Yellowstone National Park right before our eyes. More and more bird species are at the edge of survival. This is caused by lake trout eradicating major numbers of cutthroat trout; climate change altering the habitat; and sensitive species being displaced by humans. The Lake Trout's consumption of millions of cutthroat trout made other species that rely on them got affected as well and started hunting different animals. The biggest affect is with fish eating birds that have decreased in population dramatically, specifically the osprey. Another affect was eagles started hunting birds, depleting the gulls, loons, and swan populations, as well as Canada geese. Loons in particular have had a drop in population size because of eagle depredation, human disturbance, and abnormally high waters swamping their nests. Yellowstone is trying to help the populations of bird and fish species, while not affecting the natural order of things too significantly.
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