Ungulate regulation of ecosystem processes in Yellowstone National Park: direct and feedback effects
Frank DA. 1998. Ungulate regulation of ecosystem processes in Yellowstone National Park: direct and feedback effects. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 26(3):410-418
Reviews research in Yellowstone documenting a "positive, ecologically significant feedback of ungulates on their forage. Ungulates increase aboveground production of grasslands in Yellowstone by stimulating grazed plants to allocate resources aboveground and by facilitaing the rate of net nitrogen (N) mineralization and the availability of N to plants..These findings...indicate the need for managers to look beyond direct influences of herbivory to understand factors controlling ecosystem processes and the dynamics of managed ungulate populations.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Frank, Douglas
- Units
- YELL
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Bison (Bison bison), Elk (Cervus elaphus), Foraging, Grassland, Migration, Nitrogen (N), Ungulates