Plants and their environments: Proceedings of the first biennial scientific conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Yellowstone National Park is internationally recognized as a unique and beautiful place. Its status as a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve testify to the world's affection and concern for it. Since its establishment, the park has largely been protected from spoliation through the energetic efforts of generation after generation of its friends. Researchers and managers here deal with what we might call the "Yellowstone concept", a complex set of hypotheses that are continually reshaped by social constraints, political exigencies, and biological surprises. This concept exists within the confines of an ecosystem--a wonderfully complex and often awe-inspiring group of interacting biotic and abiotic entities. Proper management of such an area requires several things, including political savvy, a good sense of our own history, and a strong measure of patience, but most of all it requires the best information available regarding the state of the natural systems that operate without regard to human-imposed boundaries or value systems. Proper management, however, is both a goal and a problem, because there is no reliable set of principles to guide us; wilderness does not come with an instruction book. Thus it is that management of a place as complex and culturally challenging as Yellowstone seems always to be controversial. Controversy arises largely because the workings of the ecosystem are not fully understood. The effects and extent of historical events are not clear to modern observers, and the science of ecosystems is still young. Our ability to understand ecological processes, just like our ability to manage Yellowstone, is constantly growing and maturing. This volume represents a process that is intended to make science more serviceable in the management of Yellowstone National Park, and more accessible to those in need of scientific information. It is hoped that this is only the first in a long series of biennial meetings and their proceedings that will bring together the results of continuing scientific investigations in the Greater Yellowstone Area. The foundation of all ecosystems is plants. Plants are the procurers of energy and nutrients, the flow and cycles of which define and operate the ecosystem. It is fitting that plant research is the focus of this first scientific conference devoted entirely to Yellowstone National Park and its surroundings. Much research has been conducted on this ecosystem component, especially within the past twenty years; that blossoming of scientific interest holds great promise for our future understanding of Yellowstone, its natural systems, and its role in our society. Many people and organizations have been involved in searching for answers about the workings of the Yellowstone ecosystem ~ and exploring its state of health. The following papers and abstracts represent many investigators from numerous agencies and institutions. We were fortunate to attract the support and participation of ecologists with national and international reputations. The keynote address by Dwight Billings places the Yellowstone ecosystem in context with the mountain ecosystems of the world and its impending climatic changes. Norm Christensen gives us a good overview of recent changes in the direction and emphasis of ecological research and thought. The whole conference is ably summarized by Dennis Knight. Papers with data and discussion are presented in the first section. Abstracts are included in section 2 to document ideas presented at the conference and give contacts to those who would like to follow up on those ideas. It is hoped that this volume will be a foundation for further research and understanding of the Yellowstone ecosystem and a source of information for those responsible for the management of this singular place.

Plants and their environments: Proceedings of the first biennial scientific conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

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