Scratch

You've been whacked on the head by the self-care fairy. Go get a drink (no, an iced coffee does not count), something to eat like a snack or go make dinner (no, not just some crackers!). Have a little wiggle, stretch your legs and either go breathe some fresh air or if it's nighttime, look at this pretty gif

Wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone has changed the ecosystem *significantly*.

One remarkable thing that was not predicted that demonstrates how interlinked these things are:

Wolf eat elk.

Elk eat fewer willows.

Willows become healthier.

Number of beavers increase.

Number of songbirds increase.

Overall health of streams increases.

Number of fish increases.

Water table stabilizes.

This is called a “trophic cascade” and we normally see them as bad things. But a positive trophic cascade is an amazing thing, and apparently nobody predicted this one.

What they didn’t predict was that wolf predation would keep elk on the move so they wouldn’t overgraze a specific area.

When the elk overgrazed the willows, they removed the best source of food for beavers during the winter.

nor will I have it for a luncheon.

I will not eat these wherever I am.