Complex Systems

Perhaps the most famous story in ecology is that of the reintroduction of the wolf to Yellowstone and it has been told many times very convincingly, as it is here:

The story tells of the effects of the trophic cascade initiated by the wolves and the specific consequences on the way. The wolves reduced the elk populations which let plants grow in previously overpopulated areas where plants never grew taller than an elk. Formerly barren areas quickly grew into dense aspen forests, providing habitat for birds and beavers. The increase in beaver dams significantly increased diversity along those areas of (previously) flowing water as the populations of otters, ducks, fish, reptiles, and riparian plants increased. Wolves also killed coyotes which led to the increase in populations of rabbits, mice, and weasels. Eagles, hawks, and bears fed on the carcasses left behind by the wolves, leading to an increase in their populations. Bears also had more berries available since there were far fewer elk. Finally, the most emphasized point was that the roots of riparian plants along riversides provided an anchor for soil, preventing erosion and the meandering of rivers. This erosion prevention also occurred on valley sides where elk had eaten most of the plants.

While this seems like such a wildly successful story in ecosystem management, the changes may not be as drastic as initially thought and not even due to the wolf reintroduction due to the complexity of ecosystems. Arthur Middleton, a postdoctoral fellow at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, argues that only the initial studies showing drastic changes for such a short time in the ecology of Yellowstone National Park assumed that these changes would continue at the initial rate. Recent studies have shown that forests have not significantly improved and elk have not changed their feeding behaviors, although their populations have significantly decreased. Other factors such as hunting, bears, and climate change may also play significant roles in these changes. Middleton also argues that the extirpation of wolves happened so long ago that the damage is irreversible by the reintroduction of wolves. There are too many other factors in Yellowstone's ecosystem to directly correlate all of those effects to the reintroduction of wolves.

The article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/10/opinion/is-the-wolf-a-real-american-hero.html?_r=0

There is no way to predict whether or not reintroducing wolves to the Adirondacks would actually significantly change the ecosystem because not only is the Adirondack ecosystem wildly complex, but it is much more overrun by humans. As we learned at the Wildlife Refuge, wolves are scared of humans - even the wolves held there were nervous around humans and they are surrounded by humans daily. Also, as Middleton argued for Yellowstone, the Adirondacks may already be damaged beyond repair by wolves.