Limit search to available items
Book Cover
E-book

Title Ecological dynamics on Yellowstone's Northern Range / Committee on Ungulate Management in Yellowstone National Park, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council
Published Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, ©2002

Copies

Description 1 online resource (xvi, 180 pages) : illustrations
Contents Historical perspective: Yellowstone's changing environments -- Present conditions: vegetation -- Present conditions: animals -- Conclusions and recommendations
Summary 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
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 138-167)
Notes Print version record
Subject Elk -- Ecology -- Yellowstone National Park
American bison -- Ecology -- Yellowstone National Park
Ungulates -- Ecology -- Yellowstone National Park
Wildlife management -- Yellowstone National Park
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING -- Agriculture -- General.
American bison -- Ecology.
Elk -- Ecology.
Wildlife management.
United States -- Yellowstone National Park.
Form Electronic book
Author National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Ungulate Management in Yellowstone National Park.
LC no. 2002108821
ISBN 9780309507738
0309507731