Yellowstone Wolves: Science and Discovery in the World’s First National Park

by Douglas W. Smith (Editor)

A tome featuring the perspective of 70 different ecology experts. It is unprecedented and offers the most intensive examination to date of the Greater Yellowstone wolf population. “It represents the state of the art and while it’s a Yellowstone-centric book we took on all of the big themes for wolves and ecology,” Douglas Smith said, noting that while a massive amount of information had to be cut to meet length limitations, it will be shared in the coming years.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Wolves, Science, Reference, Biology

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2020

Reviews

[The Inquisitive Biologist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by the very people who spent 25 years in the field studying these reintroduced wolves, Yellowstone Wolves is a formidable achievement that presents a wide range of scientific topics in a well-organised, readable, and beautifully illustrated book. See my full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2021...

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most remarkable book on so many levels. I sought this out as an example of a natural system, a system disrupted violently, again and again, such that it set off a cascade of changes that damaged an ecosystem at large. Subject to mindsets of domination, fear and of course capitalism and the political, the park, and its flora and fauna have born the brunt of the worst of our humanity.

It is also one of the very best examples of the importance of taking a systems approach to complex challenges. The chapter on the trophic cascade shows so clearly the flow on effects of the removal of wolves from Yellowstone, and the countless examples of reactive solutions to isolated problems, which all largely failed to impact in positive and sustained ways. It was only when the system was viewed as a whole, and the wolves reintroduced, that the ecosystem began to holistically recover.

What was achieved in Yellowstone took a long time, and many errors. All credit to the many scientists, rangers and other stewards who played their part to help understand the system, and the right strategies to recover the balance. They have taught us all something about the power of observation, and the need to respect and care for the delicate ecosystems of life, in the natural world and beyond.

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know about wolves in Yellowstone.

[Amie Nixdorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone. This presents a lot of information and what we do (and do not know) about multi-carnivore ecosystems. Thoroughly enjoyed!

[Thomas Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Academic-ish. Does have photos.

[Nick Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Staggering and breathtaking. I can't begin to comprehend the quality and quantity of work that went into this.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good but was spoiled somewhat by the terrible kindle version - missing photos and broken lines with left margins at times. Don't buy the kindle version.