by Kristen Forbes
The recent eruption of Mount Redoubt has many effects on surrounding areas. Many areas that it affects wildlife live in. According to Grant Hilderbrand, Regional Supervisor of Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation, many animals are significantly impacted by natural phenomenon. However he says, “No particular actions are taken to protect animals from natural events. The most likely effects will be change in habitat through significant ash fall and flooding related to snow melt and runoff. As with fire, this may have immediate negative effects on wildlife but ultimately improve habitat in some areas”.
The outcome for wildlife is not all bad, Earl Becker, Research Coordinator of Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation, believes, “The volcanic ash does have some positive effects on grass growth/nutritional quality which should benefit sheep and bears (both of which graze on grasses and forbs). The ash will have to fall on grass ranges in the mountains that the sheep utilize in order to be beneficial to sheep. The ash will also improve the quality of moose forage”.
Western State Writers Spring 2009 