How Perceptions About Naturalness Affect Science in Yellowstone National Park

Abstract

This paper describes a history of science and management on the Northern Range of Yellowstone National Park (YNP). In 1983 YNP began to shape public perceptions about management issues. In this case study, YNP shaped public perceptions to cause an unnatural condition (the appearance of the Northern Range was due to the extermination of wolves) to be portrayed as a natural condition (the appearance was due to climate change). Perception shaping can adversely affect the quality of science and influence the role of science in resource management. Perception shaping can have devastating ecologic consequences.