Biocomplexity Field Trip to Yellowstone

• Goals– Direct experience in biocomplexity projects in the

Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem• Ecosystem-wide (meso-scale)

– Dave McGinnis and Crew• Micro-scale

– Bruce Fouke and Dave Mogk

– Field experience is intrinsic to Geo/biocomplexity –how to effectively teach in this environment?

– Notebook—”Field Notes”—novelty space; – Road Log—stops keyed in for Paradise Valley and

YNP– Have Fun—in a great setting, interesting science…

Itinerary

• 7-8 Breakfast, check out• 8-10:30 Paradise Valley

– Historical land use, mining, agriculture, development…– Land management; Dome Mountain, LaDuke Hot Springs;

snacks…

• ~11:00 Mammoth Visitor Center (bathroom)• 11-1 Northern Range, Tower, Lamar Valley• 1:30-3:30 Mammoth Hot Springs• 3:30 Depart for Bozeman• 5:00 Check in Grantree Inn• 6:00 Dinner, John Bozeman’s Bistro

An Overview of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, showing the distribution of wolves

Paradise Valley Physiography

Famous Spring Creeks for trout fishing—outstanding habitat for trout is offered by constant temperatures and nutrients of the springs; controlled by local structural geology and hydrology.

Land Use Demands—wilderness, agriculture, tourism…over a century of competing interests.

Contemporary Issues

Cattle v. bison and the potential spread of brucellosis, ungulate fever.

Wolf recovery—blessing or bane? A restoration of the “natural” system?

Impacts on ungulate herds, ranching, tourism???

Wildlife “management”? For ecosystem balance? Hunting interests?

Biocomplexity at Mammoth Hot Springs—work of Bruce Fouke

How to teach biocomplexity in the field?

• As you participate in the field trip, please consider– What are appropriate learning goals– What will the students actually do– What resources will you need (in the field, in

preparation, as a follow-up)– What are the expected outcomes– How will you evaluate student performance