Isle Royale is a remote wilderness island, isolated by the frigid waters of Lake Superior, and home to populations of wolves and moose. As predator and prey, their lives and deaths are linked in a drama that is timeless and historic. Their lives are historic because we have been documenting their lives for more than five decades. This research project is the longest continuous study of any predator-prey system in the world.
Access the growing collection of Michigan Tech publications produced from this study below.
Submissions from 2023
The far-reaching effects of genetic process in a keystone predator species, grey wolves, Sarah Hoy, Philip W. Hedrick, Rolf O. Peterson, Leah Vucetich, Kristin Brzeski, and John A. Vucetich
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, Sarah Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
The difficulty of detecting inbreeding depression and its effect on conservation decisions, Sarah R. Hoy, Kristin E. Brzeski, Leah M. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Genomic Underpinnings of Population Persistence in Isle Royale Moose, Christopher C. Kyriazis, Annabel C. Beichman, Kristin Brzeski, Sarah Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, John A. Vucetich, Leah Vucetich, Kirk E. Lohmueller, and Robert K. Wayne
Theses/Dissertations/Reports from 2022
Senescence related pathologies in moose (Alces alces) bones: why do some moose wear out their teeth faster or slower given their age?, Olivia Marie Bailey
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale Annual Report 2021-2022, Sarah R. Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
The Role of Wolves in Regulating a Chronic Non-communicable Disease, Osteoarthritis, in Prey Populations, Sarah Hoy, John A. Vucetich, and Rolf O. Peterson
Theses/Dissertations/Reports from 2021
‘OWING TO THE BACKWARDNESS OF THE SEASON’: ASSESSING THE EXPLORATORY MINING PROCESS ON ISLE ROYALE REDACTED VERSION, Andrew Anklam
A first genetic assessment of the newly introduced Isle Royale gray wolves (Canis lupus), Samuel D. Hervey, Linda Y. Rutledge, Brent R. Patterson, Mark C. Romanski, John A. Vucetich, Jerrold L. Belant, Dean E. Beyer, Seth A. Moore, and Kristin Brzeski
The nutritional condition of moose co-varies with climate, but not with density, predation risk or diet composition, Sarah Hoy, Jennifer S. Forbey, Daniel P. Melody, Leah Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, K. B. Koitzsch, Lisa O. Koitzsch, Andrew L. Von Duyke, John J. Henderson, Grace Parikh, and John Vucetich
Negative frequency-dependent prey selection by wolves and its implications on predator–prey dynamics, Sarah Hoy, Daniel R. MacNulty, Matthew C. Metz, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Winter Tick Burdens for Moose Are Positively Associated With Warmer Summers and Higher Predation Rates, Sarah R. Hoy, Leah M. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Intended and unintended consequences of wolf restoration to Yellowstone and Isle Royale National Parks, Douglas W. Smith and Rolf O. Peterson
Restoring the Balance: What Wolves Tell Us about Our Relationship with Nature, John Vucetich
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale Annual Report 2020-2021, John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, and Sarah R. Hoy
Annual Reports from 2020
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2019-2020, Sarah R. Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Wolves and the Isle Royale Environment: Restoring an Island Ecosystem 2018-2020, Mark C. Romanski, Elizabeth K. Orning, Kenneth F. Kellner, Dean E. Beyer Jr., Kristin Brzeski, John Hart, and et. al.
Works from 2019
Genetics and extinction and the example of Isle Royale wolves, P. W. Hendrick, J. A. Robinson, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2018-2019, Sarah R. Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Negative frequency‐dependent foraging behaviour in a generalist herbivore (Alces alces) and its stabilizing influence on food web dynamics, Sarah Hoy, John A. Vucetich, Rongsong Liu, Don DeAngelis, Rolf O. Peterson, Leah Vucetich, and John J. Henderson
Detecting dynamic system regime boundaries with Fisher information: the case of ecosystems, Eva Konig, Heriberto Cabezas, and Audrey L. Mayer
Genomic signatures of extensive inbreeding in Isle Royale wolves, a population on the threshold of extinction, Jacqueline A. Robinson, Jannikke Raikkonen, Leah Vucetich, John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, Kirk Lohmueller, and Robert Wayne
Aquatic macrophytes are seasonally important dietary resources for moose, Keren B. Tischler, William J. Severud, Rolf O. Peterson, and Joseph K. Bump
Theses/Dissertations/Reports from 2018
THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF FORAGE PREFERENCE AND MICROHISTOLOGICAL ATLAS, John J. Henderson
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2017-2018, Rolf O. Peterson, John A. Vucetich, and Sarah R. Hoy
ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF FORAGING AND LIFE-HISTORY IN THREE COLD-ADAPTED SPECIES, Andrew Von Duyke
Theses/Dissertations/Reports from 2017
An Investigation of Historic Landscape Occupation, Transformation, and Interpretation at Windigo, Isle Royale National Park, Marley Chynoweth
Genomic variation of inbreeding and ancestry in the remaining two Isle Royale wolves, Philip W. Hedrick, Marty Kardos, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2016-2017, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich
How the Rock Connects Us: A Geoheritage Guide to Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula and Isle Royale, William I. Rose, Erika Vye, and Valerie Martin
Theses/Dissertations/Reports from 2016
Early Copper Smelting In the Lake Superior Region:A Case Study of the Isle Royale and Ohio Mining Company, 1846-1852, Adrian Blake
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2015-2016, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich
Reports/Theses/Dissertations from 2015
THE INFLUENCE OF DIET COMPOSITION, PLANT DEFENSIVE CHEMICALS, AND WINTER SEVERITY ON THE NUTRITIONAL CONDITION OF A FREERANGING, GENERALIST HERBIVORE, Grace L. Parikh
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2014-2015, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 2014
Genetic rescue in Isle Royale wolves: genetic analysis and the collapse of the population, Philip W. Hedrick, Rolf O. Peterson, Leah Vucetich, Jennifer R. Adams, and John A. Vucetich
Where wolves kill moose: The influence of prey life history dynamics on the landscape ecology of predation, Robert A. Montgomery, John A. Vucetich, Gary J. Roloff, Joseph K. Bump, and Rolf O. Peterson
Trophic cascades in a multicausal world: Isle Royale and Yellowstone, Rolf O. Peterson, John A. Vucetich, Joseph M. Bump, and Douglas W. Smith
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2013-2014, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 2013
The influence of winter severity, predation and senescence on moose habitat use, Robert A. Montgomery, John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, Gary J. Roloff, and Kelly F. Millenbah
Spatial and temporal patterns in ungulate-ecosystem interactions, Bryan D. Murray
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2012-2013, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 2012
Evaluating the efficacy of non-invasive genetic methods and estimating wolf survival during a ten-year period, F. Marucco, L. M. Vucetich, R. O. Peterson, J. R. Adams, and J. A. Vucetich
Landscape and forest structure at moose mortality sites on Isle Royale National Park. A LiDAR based assessment, Luis Miguel Verissimo
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2011-2012, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 2011
Genomic sweep and potential genetic rescue during limiting environmental conditions in an isolated wolf population, Jennifer R. Adams, Leah M. Vucetich, Philip W. Hedrick, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Compensatory growth in moose and its relationship to sex, longevity, intraspecific competition, and senescence, Benjamin W. Betterly
Exploring the ethical basis for conservation policy: The case of inbred wolves on Isle Royale, USA, Meredith L. Gore, Michael P. Nelson, John A. Vucetich, Amy M. Smith, and Melissa A. Clark
The Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Project (1958-present) and the Wonder of Long-Term Ecological Research, Michael P. Nelson, John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, and Leah M. Vucetich
Predicting prey population dynamics from kill rate, predation rate and predator-prey ratios in three wolf-ungulate systems, John A. Vucetich, Mark Hebblewhite, Douglas W. Smith, and Rolf O. Peterson
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2010-2011, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 2010
Swimming Wolves, Canis lupus, attack a swimming Moose, Alces alces, P. A. Jordan, R. O. Peterson, and K. A. Ledoux
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2009-2010, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 2009
Wolf population changes in Michigan, Dean E. Beyer, Rolf O. Peterson, John Vucetich, and James H. Hammill
Wolves modulate soil nutrient heterogeneity and foliar nitrogen by configuring the distribution of ungulate carcasses, Joseph K. Bump, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Large herbivores and aquatic-terrestrial links in southern boreal forests, Joseph K. Bump, Keren B. Tischler, Amy J. Schrank, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Congenital bone deformities and the inbred wolves (Canis lupus) of Isle Royale, Jannikke Räikkönen, John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, and Michael P. Nelson
Mercury, lead and lead isotope ratios in the teeth of moose (Alces alces) from Isle Royale, U.S. upper midwest, from 1952 to 2002, John A. Vucetich, P. M. Outridge, Rolf O. Peterson, Rune Eide, and Rolf Isrenn
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2008-2009, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Wolf and moose dynamics on Isle Royale, John Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 2008
Nearshore habitat and fish community associations of coaster brook trout in Isle Royale, Lake Superior, Owen T. Gorman, Seth A. Moore, Andrew J. Carlson, and Henry R. Quinlan
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2007-2008, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 2007
Carnivore-specific stable isotope variables and variation in the foraging ecology of modern and ancient wolf populations: Case studies from Isle Royale, Minnesota, and La Brea, K. Fox-Dobbs, J. K. Bump, R. O. Peterson, D. L. Fox, and P. L. Koch
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2006-2007, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Annual Reports from 2006
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2005-2006, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Predator disease out-break modulates top-down, bottom-up and climatic effects on herbivore population dynamics, Christopher C. Wilmers, Eric Post, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
Works from 2005
The wolves of Isle Royale display scale-invariant satiation and ratio-dependent predation on moose, Christian Jost, Gregory Devulder, John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, and Roger Arditi
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2004-2005, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich
Annual Reports from 2004
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2003-2004, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich
Wolf homesite attendance patterns, Marcel J. Potvin, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich
The influence of top-down, bottom-up and abiotic factors on the moose (Alces alces) population of Isle Royale, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson
Annual Reports from 2003
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2002-2003, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich
Yellowstone after wolves, Douglas W. Smith, Rolf O. Peterson, and Douglas B. Houston
Genetic variation and population structure of moose (Alces alces) at neutral and functional DNA loci, Paul J. Wilson, Sonya Grewal, Art Rodgers, Rob Rempel, Jacques Saquet, Hank Hristienko, Frank Burrows, Rolf Peterson, and Bradley N. White
Works from 2002
Snowmobile activity and glucocorticoid stress responses in wolves and elk, Scott Creel, Jennifer E. Fox, Amanda Hardy, Jennifer Sands, Bob Garrott, and Rolf O. Peterson
Compensatory bone remodelling in moose: A study of age, sex, and cross-sectional cortical bone dimensions in moose at Isle Royale National Park, Mary Hindelang, Rolf O. Peterson, and Ann Maclean
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2001-2002, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich
Phase dependence and population cycles in a large-mammal predator-prey system, Eric Post, Nils Chr Stenseth, Rolf O. Peterson, John A. Vucetich, and Alicia M. Ellis
Annual Reports from 2001
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2000-2001, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich
Mercury concentrations in deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) tissues from Isle Royale National Park, L. M. Vucetich, J. A. Vucetich, L. B. Cleckner, P. R. Gorski, and R. O. Peterson
Annual Reports from 2000
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1999-2000, Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 1999
Predicting the wolf-prey equilibrium point, L. L. Eberhardt and R. O. Peterson
Wolf-moose interaction on Isle Royale: The end of natural regulation, Rolf O. Peterson
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1998-1999, Rolf O. Peterson
Ecosystem consequences of wolf behavioral response to climate, Eric Post, Rolf O. Peterson, Nils Chr Stenseth, and Brian E. McLaren
Works from 1998
Evaluation of age determination techniques for gray wolves, David B. Landon, Carol A. Waite, Rolf O. Peterson, and L. David Mech
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1997-1998, Rolf O. Peterson
Population limitation and the wolves of Isle Royale, Rolf O. Peterson, Nancy J. Thomas, Joanne M. Thurber, John A. Vucetich, and Thomas A. Waite
Works from 1997
Trends of winter nutritional restriction, ticks, and numbers of moose on Isle Royale, Glenn D. DelGiudice, Rolf O. Peterson, and William M. Samuel
Bone Density Determination of Moose Skeletal Remains from Isle Royale National Park using Digital Image Enhancement and Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT), Mary Hindelang and Ann L. Maclean
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1996-1997, Rolf O. Peterson
Works from 1996
Osteoporotic Skull Lesions in Moose at Isle Royale National Park, Mary Hindelang and Rolf O. Peterson
Plant-specific response to herbivory: Simulated browsing of suppressed Balsam fir on Isle Royale, Brian E. Mclaren
Seedbed and canopy cover effects on balsam fir seedling establishment in Isle Royale National Park, Brian E. McLaren and Robert A. Janke
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1995-1996, Rolf O. Peterson
Annual Reports from 1995
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1994-1995, Rolf O. Peterson
Nitrogen mineralization in boreal forest stands of isle royale, Northern Michigan, R. Stottlemyer, B. Travis, and D. Toczydlowski
Works from 1994
Wolves, moose, and tree rings on Isle Royale, B. E. McLaren and R. O. Peterson
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1993-1994, Rolf O. Peterson
Annual Reports from 1993
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1992-1993, Rolf O. Peterson
Annual Reports from 1992
Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1991-1992, Rolf O. Peterson