The Complexity of Multiple Goal Resource Management at US National Parks: Characterization of Fragile Pinyon-Juniper Ecosystems at Bandelier National Monument [DRAFT]
Gonzales GJ, Fresquez PR, Francis RE. 1990. The Complexity of Multiple Goal Resource Management at US National Parks: Characterization of Fragile Pinyon-Juniper Ecosystems at Bandelier National Monument [DRAFT]. New Mexico Highlands University, Department of Life Sciences. Las Vegas, NM
In the development of a comprehensive resource management scheme, National Parks may, by their purpose and varied ecosystems, require the holistic consideration of aquatic and terrestial systems, habitats ranging from desert shrubland to northern conifer forest, cultural and natural resources, pristine maintenance, human recreation and the importance of all indigenous species to the proper functioning of the biological system. Yet, the lack of commercial value of Park resources has contributed to a lack of economic-based justification for the resources needed to adequately address the broad spectrum of biotic communities and goals often encountered within Park boundaries. Management can be further complicated by added resource utilization pressures from non-native animals, especially if the fragile and diverse pinyon-juniper ecosystems are present. Debates on ecological goals and inherentness of soil erosion in disturbed pinyon-juniper ecosystems have resulted in hesitation to implement presumed corrective actions. The argument that because soil erosion is quite common to pinyon-juniper ecosystems, it may be considered natural and therefore allowable, warrants no consideration. Processes altering the quality of vegetation or causing reduced biological diversities are unallowable because ecological quality and diversity are the criteria which most distinguish Park wilderness from many other public lands. As such, these criteria should be prioritized as very important potential vegetation goals. The fragility of pinyon-juniper ecosystems is such that once disturbances exceed a threshold level, the ecosystem is subject to a retrogressive deteriocomplicating process, a series of ecosystem events adding to an ecological problem in a cumulative and unimpeded fashion, requiring successively more complex solutions.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Gonzales, Gilbert; Fresquez, Philip; Francis, Richard
- Date of Issue
- 1990
- Publisher
- New Mexico Highlands University, Department of Life Sciences
- Units
- BAND
- Keywords
- Burro (Equus asinus), Ecology, Erosion, Grazing, Management, Pinyon-Juniper Forest, Plants, Restoration, Revegetation, Soils, Transects, Vegetation