Research in Yellowstone Park
Mar 31, 2015
Research in Yellowstone Park
Stacey Gunther
Overview
Each year… The Research
Permit Office issues ~200 research permits
Approximately 30-40 new research requests
In 2010, researchers from 35 states and 5 foreign countries
Bruce Fouke
Research Permits 1954-2010
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
1954 1964 1974 1984 1994 2004
Research by Discipline
Summer vs. Winter Most all research in Yellowstone
occurs in summer months, between May-September.
Only 20% researchers conduct studies year-round
National Parks Omnibus Act of 1998 (Thomas
Bill) “The Secretary [of the Interior]…is
directed to assure that management of units of the National Park System is enhanced by the availability and utilization of a broad program of the highest quality science and information.”
“The Secretary shall…assure the full and proper utilization of the results of scientific study for park management decisions.”
Other Law and Policy that Regulates Research
Activities National Environmental Policy Act Archeological Resources Protection
Act National Historic Preservation Act Wilderness Act Code of Federal Regulations
Permitting RequirementsResearch project must
not adversely impact…
public health and safety
environmental or scenic values
natural or cultural resources
other scientific research
implementation of management responsibilities
proper allocation and use of facilities
visitor use activities
Permitting Requirements, contd.
Researchers must be affiliated with a university, research facility, or government agency.
Researchers must adhere to all park regulations and the conditions of their permit.
Researchers are required to renew permit annually and complete an annual report.
Must agree to supply NPS with copies of student theses, unpublished reports, and journal articles.
University research studies provide the park valuable
information
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is at least
140,000 years old.
The things we can’t see might be valuable to society
Vicki Thompson holds a flask of the catalase enzyme her team discovered, that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into harmless oxygen and water. (INL photo)
A Virus in a Fungus in a Plant:Three-Way Symbiosis Required forThermal ToleranceLuis M. Márquez,1 Regina S. Redman,2,3 Russell J. Rodriguez,2,4 Marilyn J. Roossinck1*
Over 40 patents involve YNP research
Someone actually studies (and cares about) nematodes that parasitize mosquito larvae
Edward Platzer
It’s easier to fish using an electrical current than it is
with a fly rod.
Otters are not only cute, but are important members of aquatic and terrestrial
food webs.
Jim P
eaco-
NP
S
You can learn a whole lot about
wildlife populations, just
by collecting animal poop
Photos clockwise from top right-NPS, NPS, R. Raymond, F. Gardipee; inset photo Foos
Are you collecting over
there, or making a deposit?
Photos from Top Left-J Merkl, Davis-NPS, J Merkl, NPS, Davis-NPS, Murphy
Do You know what a bryophyte or slime mold
is??
Cyanobacteria can reduce phosphonate to phosphate for cell growth and maintenance. Phosphonates are commonly found in herbicides, flame retardants, and plasticizers.
Cyanobacteria are also photosynthetic by day, and at night when the sun goes down, they start metabolizing nitrogen.
Photos courtesy of Ward Lab, MSU
Funny things happen…
Wolf reintroduction lead to increased research interest on northern range
Dan Stahler-NPS
Bob Landis
Questions?