Research in Yellowstone Park

Stacey Gunther

Overview

Each year… The Research

Permit Office issues ~200 research permits

Approximately 30-40 new research requests

In 2010, researchers from 35 states and 5 foreign countries

Bruce Fouke

Research Permits 1954-2010

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1954 1964 1974 1984 1994 2004

Research by Discipline

Summer vs. Winter Most all research in Yellowstone

occurs in summer months, between May-September.

Only 20% researchers conduct studies year-round

National Parks Omnibus Act of 1998 (Thomas

Bill) “The Secretary [of the Interior]…is

directed to assure that management of units of the National Park System is enhanced by the availability and utilization of a broad program of the highest quality science and information.”

“The Secretary shall…assure the full and proper utilization of the results of scientific study for park management decisions.”

Other Law and Policy that Regulates Research

Activities National Environmental Policy Act Archeological Resources Protection

Act National Historic Preservation Act Wilderness Act Code of Federal Regulations

Permitting RequirementsResearch project must

not adversely impact…

public health and safety

environmental or scenic values

natural or cultural resources

other scientific research

implementation of management responsibilities

proper allocation and use of facilities

visitor use activities

Permitting Requirements, contd.

Researchers must be affiliated with a university, research facility, or government agency.

Researchers must adhere to all park regulations and the conditions of their permit.

Researchers are required to renew permit annually and complete an annual report.

Must agree to supply NPS with copies of student theses, unpublished reports, and journal articles.

University research studies provide the park valuable

information

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is at least

140,000 years old.

The things we can’t see might be valuable to society

Vicki Thompson holds a flask of the catalase enzyme her team discovered, that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into harmless oxygen and water. (INL photo)

A Virus in a Fungus in a Plant:Three-Way Symbiosis Required forThermal ToleranceLuis M. Márquez,1 Regina S. Redman,2,3 Russell J. Rodriguez,2,4 Marilyn J. Roossinck1*

Over 40 patents involve YNP research

Someone actually studies (and cares about) nematodes that parasitize mosquito larvae

Edward Platzer

It’s easier to fish using an electrical current than it is

with a fly rod.

Otters are not only cute, but are important members of aquatic and terrestrial

food webs.

Jim P

eaco-

NP

S

You can learn a whole lot about

wildlife populations, just

by collecting animal poop

Photos clockwise from top right-NPS, NPS, R. Raymond, F. Gardipee; inset photo Foos

Are you collecting over

there, or making a deposit?

Photos from Top Left-J Merkl, Davis-NPS, J Merkl, NPS, Davis-NPS, Murphy

Do You know what a bryophyte or slime mold

is??

Cyanobacteria can reduce phosphonate to phosphate for cell growth and maintenance. Phosphonates are commonly found in herbicides, flame retardants, and plasticizers.

Cyanobacteria are also photosynthetic by day, and at night when the sun goes down, they start metabolizing nitrogen.

Photos courtesy of Ward Lab, MSU

Funny things happen…

Wolf reintroduction lead to increased research interest on northern range

Dan Stahler-NPS

Bob Landis

Questions?