It is encouraging to see articles like this reach more "mainstream" media. The impact of large predators on ecosystems has been known, and continues to be better understood, within the scientific community. However, at the same time, the general public receives a very limited and deeply skewed assessment of top predators, primarily through the media. Sensationalism sells, period. This is why negative press such as human encounters (sightings, attacks etc.) with top predators often makes front page news...regardless of how rare the events. No one disputes that this information is important, however, it is often inaccurate, speculative and highly sensationalized. Moreover, it is rarely...if ever, countered with the type of information found in this article. I applaud the researchers, and the authors of this article, for providing a more complete picture regarding the intrinsic, ecological value of top predators.

Great article, Jeremy, and great comment, Deanna. I blogged about the article here:

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/mskoglund/in_an_excellent_article_publis.html

Thanks for writing it.

Matt Skoglund
NRDC

Thanks for this very interesting article.

David Suzuki reported the same phenomemon in one of his book. In the case in question, the bears leaving salmon corpes is «necessary» (if I remember well) to allow forrest to grow on the sides of rivers.

Hi Jeremy,

I really liked your article, very comprehensive. It compliments a post by Dr Ruth Young just published on TalkingNature.com about biodiversity and its importance for ecosystem function.

Your above article is linked in that post so that people can get a full understanding of the need to conserve the natural ecosystems.

Keep up the great work.

Regards

James Webley