EWS OTES trumpeter swans, and wolves can be N & N managed effectively only on an eco­ system scale, which generally encom­ They also authored the first chapter, passes public and private lands outside which explains the rationale and prin­ parks. Thus, effective management ciples behind ecological process man­ must link understanding of ecological agement, and the concluding chapter, process, wildlife population dynamics, in which they discuss its future “and and habitat relationships with social whether further transitions in policy and economic concerns.” may be needed.” Based on research Consequently, expectations that conducted in the Yellowstone area, the Yellowstone can be managed with a 14 intervening chapters address top­ minimum of human intervention and ics such as population dynamics and preserve conditions similar to those of interactions among species, migration the historical record “are daunting and and dispersal, the effects of exotic perhaps unattainable because ecosys­ organisms on native species, climate tems are continually changing, human Yellowstone’s Wildlife in change, vegetation phenology, and the impacts are widespread and accelerat­ Transition processes that sustain grassland and ing, and the goal of preserving natu­ riparian communities. ralness often conflicts with goals to White, P. J., R. A. Garrott, and G. E. The changes documented in preserve particularly valued species, Plumb, eds. 2013. Yellowstone’s Wildlife the book demonstrate that ecosys­ places or conditions.” Moreover, the in Transition. Harvard University Press, tem management “has done much ecological changes caused by a warm­ Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. to restore nature and wildness in the ing climate “may make debates about park… while hosting more than 3 restoring ecosystems to earlier states In 1986, four Yellowstone employ- million visitors a year.” However, moot.” ees—Don Despain, Douglas Houston, although the transformation “enjoyed The editors suggest that minimal Mary Meagher, and Paul Schullery— great public support,” by 1986 “the sus­ interference could continue to be the collaborated on a book they called tained success of this relatively hands- policy for the 95 percent of the park Wildlife in Transition: Man and Nature off approach was not clear, given the that is currently managed as wilderness. on Yellowstone’s Northern Range. The ecological uncertainties of proposed “However, managers must realize that title referred to the transition that management actions, such as wolf res­ local extinctions of some species could began in the 1960s as park managers toration, and the associated political occur under this strategy, and plant shifted from intensive manipulation of and social dimensions of such deci­ and animal communities may change certain species to preservation of the sions.” Since then, “the Yellowstone substantially …. Examples include ecological processes that would deter­ ecosystem has been extensively modi­ the possible switch from an elk- to a mine the abundance and distribution fied by the fires of 1988, the recovery of bison-dominated system in northern of the park’s wildlife. the grizzly bear and wolf populations, Yellowstone … as well as changes in Now, six decades after that fun­ the expansion of bison and elk winter­ stream and river morphologies and damental reorientation of resource ing areas outside the park, the invasion riparian communities resulting from management, a new assessment of of nonnative diseases and organisms, shifts in large mammal communities the consequences has been published. and the continued harvest of wildlife and climate. Conversely, developed In Yellowstone’s Wildlife in Transition, outside the park.” areas could be managed to reflect his­ 32 contributors present the results of White and his co-editors point torical conditions by using frequent their research and analysis and evalu­ out that key drivers of ecosystem human intervention to reduce exotic ate “the effectiveness of ecological pro­ change in Yellowstone, including cli­ invasions, limit human-wildlife inter­ cess management at sustaining essen­ mate, pollution, invasive species, and actions, and restore habitats.” tial processes in Yellowstone National habitat fragmentation, are exceeding Recognizing that “the debate con­ Park.” the range of historic variation, and the tinues about how much and what kind The book was edited by P.J. White, park’s boundary does not encompass of human intervention is necessary and Chief of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources all of the ecological processes needed appropriate,” the contributors to this at Yellowstone National Park; Robert to sustain its native wildlife. “There book have provided a wealth of mate­ Garrott, ecology professor at Montana is a realization that dynamic processes rial that will inform discussions on the State University, Bozeman; and Glenn such as climate and fire cannot be major controversies regarding wildlife Plumb, Chief Wildlife Biologist in constrained by artificial management management in Yellowstone in the the National Park Service Biological boundaries and that species such as coming years. Resource Management Division. grizzly bears, bison, bald eagles, elk, 4 Yellowstone Science 22(1) • 2014 Welcome the New Science Report on the Hydrogeology of the Old Faithful Area Program Coordinator A scientific review of the geothermal system in the Upper Geyser Basin area In March, Yellowstone wel­ was held June 3–5, 2013, sponsored by the Yellowstone Park Foundation. The comed Sarah Haas as the new Science purpose of the meeting was to review what is known and what critical knowl­ Program Coordinator stationed at edge is lacking about the geothermal system in the Old Faithful area. The goal of the Yellowstone Center for Resources the meeting was to help current and future park managers understand how the in Mammoth. Sarah was hired to hydrothermal system is influenced by human activity and guide these managers in oversee the Research Permitting decision-making a bout any potential infrastructure changes. and Science Communications pro­ Co-chaired by Hank Heasler (NPS Geologist) and Jake Lowenstern (USGS grams for the park, including content Geologist), the panel included scientists with a wide range of backgrounds and development and editorial duties for geothermal experience including Robert Fournier (USGS, retired), David Susong Yellowstone Science. Sarah is a wild­ (USGS), Steve Ingebritsen (USGS), Duncan Foley (Pacific Lutheran University) life biologist with a background in and Bern Hinckley (private consultant). Speakers at the conference also included endangered species conservation and Rick Allis (Utah State Geologist), Payton Gardner (Sandia National Laboratories), human dimensions of wildlife man­ Cheryl Jaworowski (NPS Geologist) as well as Dan Wenk, Superintendent of agement. Departing Bryce Canyon Yellowstone National Park, and other park managers and specialists. National Park after six years as the The meeting was structured to provide panelists an overview of management Biologist/Compliance Specialist to issues in the Old Faithful area. The group discussed regulations pertaining to geo­ move to Yellowstone, Sarah states: thermal resource protection, the history of Old Faithful including a discussion on “I’m very excited about the opportu­ the cultural significance of the area, as well as challenges presented by infrastructure nity to work in Yellowstone National improvements, maintenance requirements, law enforcement and interpreting the Park! It is an honor for me and my unique area to a large and growing visitor base. family to live in and explore this fasci­ Presentations included a discussion of the current scientific understanding nating environment. I look forward to of the Old Faithful area with a focus on geology, hydrology and geochemistry. serving the park and also promoting a Comparative studies from geothermal developments in New Zealand were also better understanding of the incredible presented to inform management recommendations developed by the panel. amount of scientific research that is Age dating and isotopic studies of hydrothermal water in Yellowstone National occurring in Yellowstone.” Park were also presented including a discussion of shallow and surface water flow. Numerical modeling of hydrothermal systems, a summary of airborne thermal infrared studies of the area, and a visualization of anthropogenic changes to the Old Faithful hydrothermal system was presented. The meeting’s science review panel has published a report of their findings which include a summary of the current geological and hydrological understand­ ing of the area as well as management and monitoring recommendations. The report, prepared by the National Park Service, is titled: “Hydrogeology of the Old Faithful Area, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, and its Relevance to Natural Resources and Infrastructure,” published in April 2014. A link to the report can be found at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2014/1058/. Primary recommendations from the report focused on management of the Old Faithful area in light of increasing park visitation and infrastructure pressures resulting from development and maintenance of the area. To mitigate impacts from visitor use and park maintenance, the report recommended the consider­ ation of two alternate strategies to accommodate people, vehicles, and services in the Upper Geyser Basin: (1) the development of shuttle services from areas with little or no recent hydrothermal activity and (2) development of a “zone system”