Human Influences on the Northern Yellowstone Range

Abstract

For thousands of years before Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872, hunting and burning by Native Americans were fundamental components of the natural ecological processes on the Northern Range. Impacts by Euro-American fur trappers, miners, ranchers, natural resource managers, tourists, and others have shaped the land and wildlife of the Northern Range for the past two centuries. More controlled burning is needed today to purposely mimic the low-intensity fires set by Native Americans in the prehistoric and historical past. Greater control of bison and elk populations is needed today to sustain the natural abundances of native plants and animals and sustain the natural functioning of ecosystem processes. More controlled burning and greater control of bison and elk numbers are actions consistent with National Park Service policy and consistent with current management of other U.S. national parks.