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The Wolf's Tooth: Keystone Predators, Trophic Cascades, and Biodiversity
Animals such as wolves, sea otters, and sharks exert a disproportionate influence on their environment; dramatic ecological consequences can result when they are removed from—or returned to—an ecosystem.
In The Wolf's Tooth , scientist and author Cristina Eisenberg explores the concept of "trophic cascades" and the role of top predators in regulating ecosystems. Her fascinating and wide-ranging work provides clear explanations of the science surrounding keystone predators and considers how this notion can help provide practical solutions for restoring ecosystem health and functioning.
Eisenberg examines both general concepts and specific issues, sharing accounts from her own fieldwork to illustrate and bring to life the ideas she presents. She considers how resource managers can use knowledge about trophic cascades to guide recovery efforts, including how this science can be applied to move forward the bold vision of rewilding the North American continent. In the end, the author provides her own recommendations for local and landscape-scale applications of what has been learned about interactive food webs.
At their most fundamental level, trophic cascades are powerful stories about ecosystem processes—of predators and their prey, of what it takes to survive in a landscape, of the flow of nutrients. The Wolf's Tooth is the first book to focus on the vital connection between trophic cascades and restoring biodiversity and habitats, and to do so in a way that is accessible to a diverse readership.
In The Wolf's Tooth , scientist and author Cristina Eisenberg explores the concept of "trophic cascades" and the role of top predators in regulating ecosystems. Her fascinating and wide-ranging work provides clear explanations of the science surrounding keystone predators and considers how this notion can help provide practical solutions for restoring ecosystem health and functioning.
Eisenberg examines both general concepts and specific issues, sharing accounts from her own fieldwork to illustrate and bring to life the ideas she presents. She considers how resource managers can use knowledge about trophic cascades to guide recovery efforts, including how this science can be applied to move forward the bold vision of rewilding the North American continent. In the end, the author provides her own recommendations for local and landscape-scale applications of what has been learned about interactive food webs.
At their most fundamental level, trophic cascades are powerful stories about ecosystem processes—of predators and their prey, of what it takes to survive in a landscape, of the flow of nutrients. The Wolf's Tooth is the first book to focus on the vital connection between trophic cascades and restoring biodiversity and habitats, and to do so in a way that is accessible to a diverse readership.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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December 1, 2016I'm putting away this book - which I liked a lot - about a third through. Very interesting theories and the author states her case well I think. The interwoven anecdotes and stories makes the read lighter. Unfortunately, they also make the book quite unstructured and at a third it also starts to feel very repetitive. If you are specially interested, I'm sure it's a winner. I decided to bail instead of trudging through the rest and like it less.
January 21, 2011
This is a useful and interesting overview of the state of ecosystem management science, its history, complexities, and uncertainties. Eisenberg interlaces accounts of her own research on wolves, elks, aspens, and songbirds in Colorado, Wyoming, and elsewhere, with accounts of what others are doing or have done in similar settings and in very different ones. These include the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch in Montana, a working ranch that operates as a demonstration of how conservation and ranching can work in harmony, making a productive ranch in a wild landscape that includes bears, wolves, cougars, elk, mule deer, and other wildlife normal absent or barely hanging on in ranching territory.
The main point here is to explain the current state and history of ecological science. Eisenberg lays out the evidence of the importance of keystone predators, such as wolves in North America and sharks in the oceans, in maintaining a healthy level of biodiversity. One example: In the absence of wolves, elk overbrowse aspen saplings, leading to a lack of aspen in the middle age ranges, leading to a lack of the songbirds for whom a healthy density of mature and near-mature aspens are the preferred habitat. Over the last couple of decades, field research has strongly reinforced the importance of these keystone predators in maintaining the diversity that we need in order to continue to live comfortably on this planet.
But the top-down effects of keystone predators aren't the whole story. Food supply, disease, climate change, and other "bottom up" effects are also important, and interact with the top-down effects of keystone predators. In some circumstances one is more important, in other circumstances the other is more important--and the same ecosystem can flip from one to the other as its major force due to disruptions such as fires, volcanic eruptions, or human habitat destruction.
At times this is a bit dry, but other parts are lively and interesting, and overall this is very useful background for understanding environmental issues that make the news and affect our daily lives.
Recommended.
The main point here is to explain the current state and history of ecological science. Eisenberg lays out the evidence of the importance of keystone predators, such as wolves in North America and sharks in the oceans, in maintaining a healthy level of biodiversity. One example: In the absence of wolves, elk overbrowse aspen saplings, leading to a lack of aspen in the middle age ranges, leading to a lack of the songbirds for whom a healthy density of mature and near-mature aspens are the preferred habitat. Over the last couple of decades, field research has strongly reinforced the importance of these keystone predators in maintaining the diversity that we need in order to continue to live comfortably on this planet.
But the top-down effects of keystone predators aren't the whole story. Food supply, disease, climate change, and other "bottom up" effects are also important, and interact with the top-down effects of keystone predators. In some circumstances one is more important, in other circumstances the other is more important--and the same ecosystem can flip from one to the other as its major force due to disruptions such as fires, volcanic eruptions, or human habitat destruction.
At times this is a bit dry, but other parts are lively and interesting, and overall this is very useful background for understanding environmental issues that make the news and affect our daily lives.
Recommended.
June 24, 2015
48 of 75 for 2015. It took me a while to get through this book, but I do consider it a very important read for anyone interested in ecology and the interplay of species in the health of our world. It is especially topical here in the northern Rockies where wolves and their reintroduction remains controversial. I had never heard the terms Trophic Cascades pr Keystone Predators before beginning to read this study, but I had read about how recent studies in Yellowstone National Park show that wolves have had major, positive impacts on both animal and plant life in that area. Eisenberg talks about what has happened in Yellowstone, and cites her own work in Glacier National Park, as well as work done by other scientists around the world. Keystone Predators are not just wolves or Grizzly Bears, but even such cute and lovable creatures as Sea Otters whose presence or absence determines just how healthy the near shore regions of our oceans can be. If, like me, you believe that Little Red Riding Hood lied, or if you're at all interested in the health of the world around us, you need to read this book. While Eisenberg is a scientist, and uses scientific terminology, not all of which is immediately accessible to the layman, she includes a very extensive glossary at the back of the tome, just so you can make sure you understand such terms as irruption, trophic, and, yes, biodiversity. Highly recommended!
April 19, 2019
I LOVED this work! A thesis that is accessible to the layperson, poetic yet believable, scientific and narrative all at once. I learned so much about predators and how much a single species can affect an entire web. I live in Yellowstone country so wolves hold a special place on my heart, it was so fulfilling to learn more. definitely empowering to have more information to able to engage with the political issues associated with these animals. <3
December 26, 2012
If I could use only three words to describe The Wolf’s Tooth, these are the ones I’d choose: elegant, forceful and fluid. This is a story about how two intertwined ecological concepts — keystone predators and trophic cascades — leave their signatures upon entire landscapes. The Wolf’s Tooth is authored by Cristina Eisenberg, a PhD candidate at Oregon State University who studies conservation biology. Before graduate school, she was a journalist and editor. Her dual career paths collide in The Wolf’s Tooth, and the result is a remarkable and timely story about her own research but also an entire mountain of literature that came before her. I posted an in-depth review on my blog, here.
December 8, 2015
Superb science
Drawn in by the wolf studies but this is so much more. Sea life cascades are at least as amazing. Good work being done by brilliant, dedicated folks. More observation and conservation, less intrusion and control. We need plants and animals in variety and abundance.
Drawn in by the wolf studies but this is so much more. Sea life cascades are at least as amazing. Good work being done by brilliant, dedicated folks. More observation and conservation, less intrusion and control. We need plants and animals in variety and abundance.
May 17, 2018
Although it can't be said that any one species makes a healthy ecosystem, Eisenberg makes a compelling argument for the importance of maintaining biodiversity by protecting and restoring top predators.
November 25, 2024
Interesting and In Depth
Filled with facts but presented with passion and understanding. It helped me better understand the science used in conservation efforts..
Filled with facts but presented with passion and understanding. It helped me better understand the science used in conservation efforts..
May 28, 2013
Wow. For anyone needing to come up to speed quickly on what is happening in biological conservation and ecosystems this is the book to start with. I wish I had. Eisenberg, an ecologist herself, takes us along as she researches the impact of animals on aspens; the wolf specifically. Along the way she fills us in on the vocabulary, methods, history and people involved in this fascinating area of study. Her personable style and relevant anecdotes all help to take the novice ecologist from ignorance to fascination and concern. How could we have thought that eradicating the wolf from our lives would have changed them this much? As a home gardener fighting the good fight against the herbivores in my neighborhood, I now know where the problem lies. The solution, on the other hand, isn't quite so clear but awareness of the situation in those few remaining wildernesses in our country lies in the balance.
December 7, 2010
This book is written by an Oregon State professor, with property in Montana. She argues that many ecosystems are governed by the top predator, the keystone species. In the Rocky Mountain West, this is the wolf. She gives many examples of ecosystems, where when the top predator is removed, the diversity of species is much reduced. She talks about the relationship of the wolves, elk, aspen, and songbirds, as well as sea otters, sea urchins, and kelp, and relationships in other ecosystems. Of interest to Oregon readers, she visits the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest in Blue River. The day after I finished this book, the Bend Bulletin carried an article about Temple Grandin's talk on wolves and cattle to the Oregon Cattlemen's Association in Bend.
June 17, 2013
Cristina's tales of field experiences with wolves and other top predators are both fascinating and educational, especially when she describes trophic cascades in places already familiar to readers. I would recommend more illustrations in future editions, so readers could see photos or drawings of overbrowsed aspen stands compared to healthy ones, e.g. I'm having a hard time applying her theory to the western forests where I live, but Cristina herself writes about the differences between places and in scientific opinions. At the end she makes a compelling environmental-services argument for bringing back as many of our country's native wildlife as we can, and for having the hope and drive to do so. Long live Nina the Wolf!
April 2, 2015
Good book with simple explanations about a complex, important topic. Was very interesting to read a simplified version of the complex research being undertaken to better understand biodiversity, the role of predators (especially keystone species) and trophic cascades. The information on competing theories and bottom-up effects and how everything is interconnected was very well explained.
Cristina Eisenberg writes very well in an easy to understand way, with scenes from her experiences described beautifully to help you connect more with the research that she explains in the book.
Cristina Eisenberg writes very well in an easy to understand way, with scenes from her experiences described beautifully to help you connect more with the research that she explains in the book.
May 5, 2016
An informative overview of the still (relatively) new field of trophic cascades science and keystone predators. Discusses the origins of the trophic cascades hypothesis and explores it's strengths and weaknesses with many case studies and examples from various ecosystems around the globe, some with strong trophic effects and others without. Additional discussion explores how trophic cascades research can benefit ecosystem management and conservation efforts, especially it's importance for preservation of fully-functioning ecosystems. Overall the text is fairly accessible although at times somewhat technical for a layperson.
December 15, 2010
Eisenberg is a conservation biologist specializing in the study of how wolves--or the removal of predators--affects plant life and the overall health of a ecosystem. She describes all kinds of research being done around the world on the role of predators. She's a protege of Aldo Leopold who taught us to look at all the relationships and preserve everything, especially the predators.
April 6, 2016
Very well written in a clear and concise manner. This book provides the reader with an in-depth, yet clear and easy to comprehend explanation of the relationships between the vast number of elements in a given ecosystem.
January 20, 2015
This book presents some interesting concepts to think about. There is a lot in the news about wolves, spotted owls, and other species these days. This book gives a scientific bent to the ecological discussion that seems to get out of hand in the media.
February 1, 2015
Thoughtful and grounded in fascinating research that emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and the folly of fearing, as well as destroying, large predator species that may well be the hope of our planet's future. Could have benefited from sharper editing though!
July 23, 2015
Picked this up on impulse from my daily Bookbub email. I really enjoyed it. Each chapter taught me something new and now I'm curious to learn more about a host of science and nature topics. It was almost like taking a college course.
January 9, 2012
A great mix of field stories, history of ecology and hopeful new science. A very enlightening and enjoyable read.
October 15, 2012
A brilliant book about trophic cascades and the importance of preditors in the natural world.
April 4, 2014
Informative and with good ideas. I'm glad to have it on my shelf. I'm sure to refer to it again soon.
May 13, 2016
I just couldn't get into this. Didn't finish it. I agree with having wolves back in nature but think that their population needs to be more tightly controlled.
January 29, 2015
Informing
It was very interesting and informative . It was different but enjoyable ! A must for all of the people who care about nature.
It was very interesting and informative . It was different but enjoyable ! A must for all of the people who care about nature.
Want to read
February 3, 2016Won't review as it's not been read; didn't realize - how did that happen - that it's really more a non-fiction scientific research work. I'm sure it's very good & interesting!
February 12, 2016
Christina Eisenberg's Master's thesis -- I skimmed beginning and end...
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews