Yellowstone wolf impact not as strong as thought. [View all]

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260613215510.htm
Wolf populations in Yellowstone National Park have myriad impacts on ecosystems, but exactly how those impacts play out in the complex system is still under consideration. New research from Utah State University ecologist Dan MacNulty and colleagues shows earlier reports of massive increases in willow biomass is an artifact of circular modeling and other methodological errors. Credit: Nomadic Lass

One of the most widely cited stories about Yellowstone's wolves is facing fresh scrutiny.

A new peer reviewed analysis published in Global Ecology and Conservation argues that a high profile 2025 study significantly overstated the ecological impact of wolf recovery in Yellowstone National Park. Researchers from Utah State University and Colorado State University say the earlier work relied on flawed methods that led to exaggerated conclusions about how wolves affected the park's ecosystem.