Ecological Dynamics on Yellowstone's Northern Range - Softcover

National Research Council; Division On Earth And Life Studies; Board On Environmental Studies And Toxicology; Committee On Ungulate Management In Yellowstone National Park

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0309083451 ISBN 13: 9780309083454

Publisher: National Academies Press, 2002

Synopsis

Ecological Dynamics on Yellowstone's Northern Range discusses the complex management challenges in Yellowstone National Park. Controversy over the National Park Service's approach of "natural regulation" has heightened in recent years because of changes in vegetation and other ecosystem components in Yellowstone's northern range. Natural regulation minimizes human impacts, including management intervention by the National Park Service, on the park ecosystem. Many have attributed these changes to increased size of elk and other ungulate herds.

This report examines the evidence that increased ungulate populations are responsible for the changes in vegetation and that the changes represent a major and serious change in the Yellowstone ecosystem. According to the authors, any human intervention to protect species such as the aspen and those that depend on them should be prudently localized rather than ecosystem-wide. An ecosystem—wide approach, such as reducing ungulate populations, could be more disruptive. The report concludes that although dramatic ecological change does not appear to be imminent, approaches to dealing with potential human—caused changes in the ecosystem, including those related to climate change, should be considered now. The need for research and public education is also compelling.

About this title

About the Author

Committee on Ungulate Management in Yellowstone National Park, National Research Council

Edition details

• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0309083451
• ISBN 13: 9780309083454
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 198