Dan MacNulty
@DanMacnulty
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Ecologist, Professor, Utah State University
Logan, Utah
Joined February 2022
Explore the science behind the headline in our open-access article here: https://t.co/IgZidgsYy9
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Even 17.5× is inflated—it reflects average sapling density driven by a minority of plots. Most aspen plots (green = median) stayed flat—half had no saplings, and only a small fraction (purple, pink) increased. https://t.co/428Dj5qAmw
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About that “152×” Yellowstone aspen claim (see WaPo headline). In a new preprint we show it’s a math error that inflated the effect by 768%. Corrected: 17.5×. Preprint: https://t.co/428Dj5qAmw
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Claims about “wolves reshaping ecosystems” are powerful—but only if they’re accurate. This Aspen Times article on Colorado’s wolf reintroduction shows why getting the Yellowstone trophic cascade story right matters for public understanding and policy: https://t.co/Hb0R2uoEvH
aspentimes.com
In Yellowstone National Park — where gray wolves were reintroduced starting in 1995 — researchers have gone back and forth on whether the restoration of wolves has impacted the ecosystem.
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Researchers challenge claim of a strong Yellowstone trophic cascade after wolf reintroduction
phys.org
A new analysis challenges one of the most publicized claims about Yellowstone's wolves. In a detailed comment published in Global Ecology and Conservation, researchers from Utah State University and...
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You may have heard that large carnivore recovery in Yellowstone National Park triggered one of the world’s strongest trophic cascades. Our new open access article explains why that story doesn't hold up: https://t.co/JB7drQZsZz
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Have large carnivores in Yellowstone triggered one of the world’s strongest trophic cascades? Our new preprint identifies major flaws in the analysis underlying this claim. Read:
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A bill that would deregulate killing of mountain lions and mandate trapping throughout the state stems from concerns over struggling mule deer, despite scant evidence that killing cats will help deer populations. @Koshywrites has more ➡️ https://t.co/xjjHMfyasY
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Two bills seeking to roughly halve Montana’s wolf population pass out of committee. HB 222 and HB 176 seek to reduce Montana’s wolf population by expanding the hunting season and lifting hunting and trapping limits.
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Bills seek to ramp up wolf killing in Montana https://t.co/qAj6CLINBm
missoulacurrent.com
The two of first three wolf bills heard in the 2025 Legislature would mandate more drastic measures in order to drive Montana’s wolf population down.
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The challenge with managing for the minimum number of wolves is that it requires accurate & precise population estimates, which brings attention back to FWP's controversial iPOM model. Curiously, H.B. 176 mandates that FWP continue using the iPOM model.
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
A clear connection between basic research and applied management is often missing or difficult to discern. We present a case study of integration of basic research with applied management for...
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Key detail from yesterday's hearing is that MT FWP equates 450 wolves with 15 breeding pairs, which is the minimum number of breeding pairs MT must maintain to avoid triggering a status review by USFWS & potential relisting, as per the 2009 delisting rule:
federalregister.gov
Under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), identify a distinct population segment (DPS) of the gray wolf (Canis...
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House Bill 176 would allow the killing of entire Yellowstone wolf packs that roam outside Yellowstone National Park's boundaries in Montana. Northern Yellowstone wolf packs are particularly at risk, as demonstrated by events earlier this winter.
wyofile.com
All five wolves taken from single Yellowstone pack, three others missing.
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Montana seeks to cap its wolf population at 450. House Bill 176 proposes several measures to reduce wolf numbers when the population is at or above 450, including allowing a single hunter to kill an unlimited number of wolves. Hearing: today, 3 PM MST.
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BREAKING: Grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Lower 48 will stay protected under the Endangered Species Act, per a @USFWS proposal. This blocks Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho from gaining control or allowing hunts for now.
wyofile.com
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials also propose modifying recovery zones and managing the population as a single entity.
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New paper by John Benson et al. in @ESAEcology explores the drivers of group cohesion in social canids. Cohesion varies widely, shaped by life history, prey, group size, and humans. In wolves, it declines as pack size grows or human disturbance increases. https://t.co/wL8e2kjrWl
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Much appreciate @SoSeaEmerald for helping the public understand our recent @ESAMonographs paper, debunking the myth that fear of wolves drives aspen recovery in @YellowstoneNPS. The lead image features another wily canid—the coyote. https://t.co/IgZidgsYy9
southseattleemerald.org
There's an old saying: "Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story." This weekend's read is the truth behind a really good story about habitat recovery in Yellowstone National Park. In case...
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One pack in our study grew to over 20 wolves, including 11 pups—an impressive size for such an extreme environment. In this photo, it numbered at least 27, underscoring the remarkable productivity of this polar desert ecosystem.
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Our new paper offers rare insights into the ecology of wolves in the High Arctic. GPS tracking revealed relatively high wolf densities, year-round territories, and likely sustainable muskox predation—but also potential risks to endangered Peary caribou. https://t.co/3s7X50G81L
wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Wolves in a productive area of Canada's High Arctic remain on territories year-round at densities similar to populations farther south, primarily preying on muskoxen and Arctic hares. The high...
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Following adoption of new regulations, Montana settles with conservation groups that sued to shorten wolf trapping season over threat to grizzly bears https://t.co/EOow74JUE5
@daily_montanan #mtpol #mtnews
dailymontanan.com
The State of Montana and the parties involved in a lawsuit that shortened Montana’s wolf trapping season in the western two-thirds of the state to reduce the chance that threatened grizzly bears...
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