Predators in Three Different Types

¶ … predators in three different types of ecosystems. Research management strategies for predator control Predators are a vital element in ecology, as they usually prevent their prey from thriving and growing in numbers uncontrollably. Evolution has made it possible for predators to adapt to various ecosystems from around the world. While a number of predators have been decimated and even brought to extinction by man (who is considered to be the planet's most competent predator), others have enjoyed a growth in population due to diverse beneficial factors.

Canid species are generally known to have the capacity to adapt to almost every environment, regardless of the harsh conditions that they come across. The largest member of the species in the present is the Gray Wolf, and, it is present in a lot of ecosystems, even though it is considered to be less adaptable than other members from the canid species. Gray wolves are presently spread in a wide variety of ecosystems, ranging from tundra to deserts.

The Gray Wolf had once inhabited most of Eurasia and North America, its adaptableness having helped it survive the ice age. (Whyte Macdonald, David Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio) Because of the fact that they can adapt to most environments, and, because of their sociability, wolfs are considered to be apex predators in all of the ecosystems that they live in. The broadening of human territory also meant that wolf territories became threatened, with wolves becoming extinct in certain areas.

Experts today believe that the grey wolf is not in danger of extinction because the wolf population is considered as a total sum. However, when taking into account the recent data gathered from particular parts of the planet, one can find that while wolves thrive in certain areas, there are only a few dozen left in others. (Whyte Macdonald, David Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is currently conducting programs that are meant to increase wolf population in the state.

The authorities have decided that they have to prevent wolves from leaving their designed area, since this might lead to divergences between the animals and humans. Also, the living space for the wolves needs to be arranged so that it would provide the predators with everything that they require. (Wisconsin Departament of Natural Resources) While conditions are critical in Wisconsin, with the wolf population being in danger of extinction, matters are rather different in other areas.

Proper conditions such as large areas to inhabit and abundance in prey have lead to wolf numbers becoming alarming. In response, humans are inclined to intervene and to control wolf population, so that it would not affect ecosystems. The Yellowstone National Park authorities had reintroduced wolves into the park's ecosystem in 1995, hoping for the animals to reproduce and to increase in numbers. Indeed, wolves thrived in their new home, and, they've reached an impressive number in the present.

However, their success has affected the ecosystem, with the elk population in the area being decimated as a result of wolves preying on them. There are also numerous reports of wolves preying on livestock, thus distressing farmers, who want to kill the predators as a result. (Whyte Macdonald, David Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio) Similar to wolves, crocodiles have survived through several severe events having happened across millennia and they are now veritable predators.

Furthermore, crocodiles are considered to be the oldest species on earth, considering that it had not experienced major modifications over 200 million years. Another thing that crocodiles have in common to wolves is that they are apex predators, with the tropics being unable to provide any danger for them. Vertebrates are the main food source for crocodiles, with the animals occasionally feasting on invertebrates such as mollusks. (Lynne, Kelly.) Crocodiles are appreciated for their self preservation capacity and for their apex predator position.

However, hundreds of people are killed every year as a result of their encounter with the beasts. In order to control the problem, people resorted to having crocodiles removed from human-inhabited areas. In spite of the fact that the situation ameliorated as a result of crocodiles being removed, people are still easy victims for stealthy crocodiles. (Lynne, Kelly.) The Australian government is determined to put an end to crocodile attacks.

Considering the fact that tens of thousands of crocodiles are found on the continent, people believe that it is virtually unavoidable for others to fall victims to crocodiles. (Lynne, Kelly.) While it is generally believed that only carnivores can be apex predators, omnivores can also be true killers. Brown bears, for example, have no natural enemy within the ecosystems that they reside in, and, can also feast on things other than meat.

However, the general apex predator is man, as people can be considered to be on the top of the food chain. There are basically no predators that hunt and murder humans habitually, in order to feed on them. The main reason for humans acting like predators is their need for food, as people are accustomed to kill and eat animals from the early ages. Also, people often eliminate other apex predators because they are competing with them.

Numerous carnivores have been killed by man so that they would not kill livestock, which is basically one of humanity's main animal protein sources. Man is a superior predator due to the numerous abilities which help him in oppressing other species. Humans have provoked irreparable damage to various ecosystems by getting involved and decimating the numbers of apex predators. Such actions lead to a booming increase in other animals, since there had been no predators left to prey on them.

Most probably, there is not a single animal species on earth that had not been preyed on by man. (Prugh, R. Laura, and Stoner, J. Chantal, and Epps, W.