Park Operations: Managing overnight stock use at Yosemite National Park: A science-based approach
Abbe JD and Ballenger L. 2012. Park Operations: Managing overnight stock use at Yosemite National Park: A science-based approach. Park Science. 28(3):99–102
Pack stock use in Yosemite National Park is an important part of the park’s history, an inspirational experience for many wilderness visitors, and a vital element of park operations. Park staff recently identified threats to the ecological integrity of meadows related to high levels of stock grazing. They are working to address this issue by monitoring conditions and implementing a pilot management program in select stock use areas. This article describes how resource managers are calculating initial pack stock capacities for these areas and implementing changes to wilderness stock management. This ongoing quantitative work gives strong support to future management decisions and improves our understanding of overnight stock use and management.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Abbe, J.; Ballenger, Liz
- Units
- NRSS , YOSE
- Keywords
- available forage, Commercial Use Authorization (CUA), forage production, grazing limits, Meadows, pack stock use, stock capacities, stock nights, wilderness stock management, Yosemite NP