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.

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Annual Reports from 2024

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, Sarah Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, and John Vucetich

Submissions from 2023

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The difficulty of detecting inbreeding depression and its effect on conservation decisions, Sarah Hoy, Kristin Brzeski, Leah Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, Sarah Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich

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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

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale Annual Report 2021-2022, Sarah R. Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich

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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

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‘OWING TO THE BACKWARDNESS OF THE SEASON’: ASSESSING THE EXPLORATORY MINING PROCESS ON ISLE ROYALE REDACTED VERSION, Andrew Anklam

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Intended and unintended consequences of wolf restoration to Yellowstone and Isle Royale National Parks, Douglas W. Smith and Rolf O. Peterson

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Restoring the Balance: What Wolves Tell Us about Our Relationship with Nature, John Vucetich

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2019-2020, Sarah R. Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich

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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

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Genetics and extinction and the example of Isle Royale wolves, P. W. Hendrick, J. A. Robinson, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2018-2019, Sarah R. Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich

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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

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Detecting dynamic system regime boundaries with Fisher information: the case of ecosystems, Eva Konig, Heriberto Cabezas, and Audrey L. Mayer

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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

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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

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THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF FORAGE PREFERENCE AND MICROHISTOLOGICAL ATLAS, John J. Henderson

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2017-2018, Rolf O. Peterson, John A. Vucetich, and Sarah R. Hoy

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ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF FORAGING AND LIFE-HISTORY IN THREE COLD-ADAPTED SPECIES, Andrew Von Duyke

Theses/Dissertations/Reports from 2017

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An Investigation of Historic Landscape Occupation, Transformation, and Interpretation at Windigo, Isle Royale National Park, Marley Chynoweth

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2016-2017, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich

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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

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Early Copper Smelting In the Lake Superior Region:A Case Study of the Isle Royale and Ohio Mining Company, 1846-1852, Adrian Blake

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2015-2016, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich

Reports/Theses/Dissertations from 2015

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THE INFLUENCE OF DIET COMPOSITION, PLANT DEFENSIVE CHEMICALS, AND WINTER SEVERITY ON THE NUTRITIONAL CONDITION OF A FREERANGING, GENERALIST HERBIVORE, Grace L. Parikh

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2014-2015, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 2014

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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

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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

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Trophic cascades in a multicausal world: Isle Royale and Yellowstone, Rolf O. Peterson, John A. Vucetich, Joseph M. Bump, and Douglas W. Smith

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2013-2014, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 2013

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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

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Spatial and temporal patterns in ungulate-ecosystem interactions, Bryan D. Murray

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2012-2013, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 2012

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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

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Landscape and forest structure at moose mortality sites on Isle Royale National Park. A LiDAR based assessment, Luis Miguel Verissimo

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2011-2012, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 2011

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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

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Compensatory growth in moose and its relationship to sex, longevity, intraspecific competition, and senescence, Benjamin W. Betterly

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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

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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

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2010-2011, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 2010

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Swimming Wolves, Canis lupus, attack a swimming Moose, Alces alces, P. A. Jordan, R. O. Peterson, and K. A. Ledoux

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2009-2010, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 2009

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Wolf population changes in Michigan, Dean E. Beyer, Rolf O. Peterson, John Vucetich, and James H. Hammill

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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

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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

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Congenital bone deformities and the inbred wolves (Canis lupus) of Isle Royale, Jannikke Räikkönen, John A. Vucetich, Rolf O. Peterson, and Michael P. Nelson

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2008-2009, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

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Wolf and moose dynamics on Isle Royale, John Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 2008

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2007-2008, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 2007

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2006-2007, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

Annual Reports from 2006

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2005-2006, John A. Vucetich and Rolf O. Peterson

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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

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2004-2005, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich

Annual Reports from 2004

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2003-2004, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich

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Wolf homesite attendance patterns, Marcel J. Potvin, Rolf O. Peterson, and John A. Vucetich

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2002-2003, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich

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Yellowstone after wolves, Douglas W. Smith, Rolf O. Peterson, and Douglas B. Houston

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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

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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

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2001-2002, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 2000-2001, Rolf O. Peterson and John A. Vucetich

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1999-2000, Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 1999

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Predicting the wolf-prey equilibrium point, L. L. Eberhardt and R. O. Peterson

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Wolf-moose interaction on Isle Royale: The end of natural regulation, Rolf O. Peterson

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1998-1999, Rolf O. Peterson

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Ecosystem consequences of wolf behavioral response to climate, Eric Post, Rolf O. Peterson, Nils Chr Stenseth, and Brian E. McLaren

Works from 1998

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Evaluation of age determination techniques for gray wolves, David B. Landon, Carol A. Waite, Rolf O. Peterson, and L. David Mech

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1997-1998, Rolf O. Peterson

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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

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Trends of winter nutritional restriction, ticks, and numbers of moose on Isle Royale, Glenn D. DelGiudice, Rolf O. Peterson, and William M. Samuel

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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

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1996-1997, Rolf O. Peterson

Works from 1996

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Osteoporotic Skull Lesions in Moose at Isle Royale National Park, Mary Hindelang and Rolf O. Peterson

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Plant-specific response to herbivory: Simulated browsing of suppressed Balsam fir on Isle Royale, Brian E. Mclaren

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Seedbed and canopy cover effects on balsam fir seedling establishment in Isle Royale National Park, Brian E. McLaren and Robert A. Janke

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1995-1996, Rolf O. Peterson

Annual Reports from 1995

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1994-1995, Rolf O. Peterson

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Nitrogen mineralization in boreal forest stands of isle royale, Northern Michigan, R. Stottlemyer, B. Travis, and D. Toczydlowski

Works from 1994

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Wolves, moose, and tree rings on Isle Royale, B. E. McLaren and R. O. Peterson

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1993-1994, Rolf O. Peterson

Annual Reports from 1993

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Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale, 1992-1993, Rolf O. Peterson