Cottonwoods, elk, and wolves in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park
-
-
Authors: R. L. Beschta
Date: 2003
Journal: Ecological Applications
Volume: 13
Number: 5
Pages: 1295-1309
Summary of Methods: The degree that cottonwood recruitment has not occurred and the identification of potential links between environmental factors and recruitment were examined in this study conducted along the Lamar Valley in the northeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park. Species, age and diameter of all cottonwood (Populus spp.) trees ≥ 5cm (dbh) were measured and recorded along 9 km of the Lamar River. General characterization of seedling densities and heights commonly present were measured along five belt transects established in the study area. Four approaches were used to independently establish the relationship between tree age and dbh measurements.
Article Summary / Main Points: The fragmentation of cottonwood recruitment appears to have occurred independently of fire history, flow regimes, channel migrations, or factors affecting normal stand development. The removal of wolves and other population control methods allowed for elk (Cervus elaphus) populations to increase and the level of browse on riparian plant communities to subsequently increase. Elk herbivory throughout much of the 20th century has had a persistent and substantial impact on cottonwood recruitment in northeastern Yellowstone National Park, effectively creating a "recruitment gap."
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 43B Central Rocky Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Documented Case History
Keywords: cottonwood, populus spp., elk, cervus elaphus, riparian, trophic cascades, wolves, canis lupus, yellowstone national park
Annotation: The findings of this study are specific to cottonwood tree recruitment in Yellowstone National Park, but illustrate the potential effects uncontrolled or large wildlife populations can have on cottonwood and other wood species recruitment anywhere.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-