You must go back to the 1930s, when the wolf population in Yellowstone was wiped out, to find the answer to that. Despite Yellowstone elk
Elk populations as a result did very well—possibly too well. Elk exceeded Yellowstone's carrying capacity and remained mostly stationary during the winter, relying primarily on young willow, aspen, and cottonwood plants for food. Beaver struggled because they depend on willows to survive the winter.
Yellowstone elk has healthier willow trees
This led to a situation that was paradoxical. The willow stands along streams were in poor condition in 1968, according to Smith, when the elk population was only about one-third of what it is today. Elk numbers have increased by three times, thus willow stands are strong now. Why? Elk don't have time to actively browse the willow because wolves' predatory pressure keeps them on the go.
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