When gray wolves were wiped out as the wilderness was settled what happened to the grass and elk?

When gray wolves were wiped out due to settlement and hunting, it led to a dramatic increase in elk populations, as there were no natural predators to keep them in check. This overpopulation of elk resulted in overgrazing, which negatively impacted grassland health and biodiversity. The decline in grass and other vegetation further disrupted the ecosystem, leading to soil erosion and reduced habitat for other species. Consequently, the absence of wolves had cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, demonstrating the importance of apex predators in maintaining ecological balance.