Response to "Thinking Like a Mountain" by Aldo Leopold

     The wolf cares not for the deer, but for the wolf.  The person cares not for the wolf, but for the person.  Every singular being does not see outside itself, and is only concerned with its own welfare.  If it interacts with another creature, it seems the circumstances are always "kill or be killed," as one assumes a more predatory role while the other acts as prey.  As Aldo Leopold explains in his writing, "Only the mountain has lived long enough to listen objectively to the howl of a wolf."
     "Thinking Like a Mountain" outlines the importance of a diverse ecosystem by illustrating what would happen if the wolves were to be eliminated from a mountain. Aldo Leopold demonstrates that even though an abundance of deer may initially seem enticing to hunters (and encourage them to kill off the wolf population to let the deer flourish), the lack of biodiversity would have severe consequences. According to Leopold, if the deer were a species uncontrolled by predators, all surrounding vegetation would be decimated until the ecosystem was barren. Without the plant life, the deer would all starve, leaving the mountain void of all life whatsoever. He states that the regeneration process for an entire mountain's creatures could take decades.
     I very much liked this writing piece because it brought to light dire circumstances in an artistic and relatable way. I'd never been encouraged to deeply think about and form and opinion on biodiversity, so it was cool to find a new perspective on this topic.