Spring 2009 • Volume 26 • Number 1 www.nature.nps.gov/ParkScience PARK SCIENCE • VOLUME 26 • NUMBER 1 • SPRING 2009 National Park Service PARKScience U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Program Center Integrating Research and Resource Management in the National Parks Office of Education and Outreach RESEARCH OF THE CANON NATIONAL PARKS SCIENCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM Contributions to protected area conservation • Biological sciences • Physical sciences • Social / cultural sciences • Technology innovation PARKScience Integrating Research and Resource Management in the National Parks Volume 26 • Number 1 • Spring 2009 www.nature.nps.gov/ParkScience ISSN 0735–9462 From the Guest Editors Published by U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service TThehe CanonCanon NationalNational Natural Resource Program Center Lakewood, Colorado Acting Director, National Park Service PParksarks SSciencecience SScholarscholars Dan Wenk Associate Director, Natural Resource Stewardship & Science PProgram:rogram: Bert Frost Director, Natural Resource Program Center George Dickison Editor Jeff Selleck Natural Resource Program Center, Offi ce of Education COURTESY OF THE CANON NATIONAL PARKS SCIENCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM and Outreach Associate Editor Katie KellerLynn Writer-Editor, Colorado State University (cooperator) Contributing Editor Betsie Blumberg Writer-Editor, Pennsylvania State University (cooperator) Copyeditor/Proofreader Lori D. Kranz (contractor) Layout/Design Jeff Selleck, Editor Editorial board John Dennis—Deputy Chief Scientist, Natural Resource Stewardship & Science Rick Jones—Interpretive Planner, Harpers Ferry Center Bob Krumenaker—Superintendent, Apostle Islands National Seashore Charles Roman—NPS Research Coordinator, North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, University of Rhode Island Bobbi Simpson—Supervisory Biologist and California Exotic Plant Management Team Liaison, Point Reyes National Seashore Kathy Tonnessen—NPS Research Coordinator, Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, University of Montana A legacy of science for national parks Editorial offi ce Jeff Selleck National Park Service NRPC/OEO P.O. Box 25287 AN URGENT NEED THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS and the Denver, CO 80225-0287 world is to better understand how to preserve the natural and cultural E-mail: [email protected] resources of national parks for future generations. Hence, educating and Phone: 303-969-2147 Fax: 303-987-6704 preparing the next generation of conservation scientists is a vital respon- sibility. These scientists will learn, discover, invent, and create solutions to preserve national parks in the 21st century. In 1997, Canon U.S.A., Inc., the National Park Service (NPS), and the American Association for the 3 FROM THE GUEST EDITORS Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Central and South America and National Park, Wyoming; Williams- collaborated and created the Canon the Caribbean. burg, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; National Parks Science Scholars Because much of the science Vieques, Puerto Rico; Bay of Lo- Program to help address these im- important to national parks crosses reto National Marine Park, Mexico; portant challenges. Canon gener- traditional academic disciplines, Waterton-Glacier International ously supported this program for scholarships covered four broad Peace Park, Canada; and Grand more than a decade. The program categories: (1) biological sciences, Canyon National Park, Arizona. awarded scholarships to more (2) physical sciences, (3) social/cul- than 75 doctoral students who tural sciences, and (4) technology About this issue conducted research in more than innovation in support of conserva- The purpose of this issue of 90 national parks throughout the tion. The program awarded eight Park Science is to assemble ex- Americas. Today, program alumni scholarships each year—four to amples of the scientifi c research work in academia, the private sec- students studying at universities through which Canon Scholars are tor (including nongovernmental in the United States and four to making a diff erence in the future organizations), and government. students studying at universities of national parks. Four guest edi- This theme issue of Park Science in other countries throughout the tors prepared this special edition: highlights the research activities of Americas. A signifi cant portion of Jean McKendry, the program’s selected Canon Scholars and the each student’s research had to be coordinator; Andrew Bunn, a diff erence they are making in sci- in, or directly relevant to, a nation- Canon Scholar in 2001; Patricia ence and conservation. al park in the country in which he Illoldi-Rangel, a Canon Scholar in or she had citizenship. AAAS orga- 2002; and Gary Machlis, the pro- About the program nized and led the annual interna- gram’s director. Program alumni The program’s mission was tional scientifi c review panels that contributed to several sections “to encourage the best and bright- selected the winners, administered of this issue; 12 alumni authored est graduate students in all relevant the scholarship funds, and partici- research articles. The research disciplines to conduct research pated in program activities. articles are organized around important to the future of national Each scholar received funding the four program categories and parks, expand scientifi c knowl- to support his or her doctoral re- refl ect the broad diversity of edge concerning conservation and search and complete a dissertation research in which Canon Scholars sustainability and share this knowl- within three years. The total award are engaged. Guest editors Bunn edge broadly, develop future world amount for each scholar—$75,000 and Illoldi-Rangel summarized se- leaders in science and conservation, beginning in 1997, increased to lected peer-reviewed articles (see demonstrate kyosei [coming togeth- $80,000 over the period of the Information Crossfi le department) er for the common good] in an in- program—went toward tuition, published elsewhere. Elizabeth novative partnership, and help pre- books, fi eldwork expenses (includ- Brusati, a Canon Scholar in 2001, serve the national parks of the 21st ing research assistants), equipment also contributed to Information century.” Originally, the program and supplies needed to complete Crossfi le. Alice Wondrak-Biel, a awarded scholarships to doctoral the research project, laboratory Canon Scholar in 1999, reviewed students studying in national parks expenses, travel to fi eld sites and the book Yellowstone denied: The in the United States. Beginning in scientifi c meetings, and a student life of Gustavus Cheyney Doane. 2002, the program expanded to in- stipend. In addition to their schol- The biological and physical clude students in all countries of the arships, Canon Scholars partici- science articles illustrate the oppor- Americas—Canada, United States pated in intensive science retreats tunities that national parks provide of America, Mexico, and countries held over the years at Yellowstone to make fundamental contributions 4 PARK SCIENCE • VOLUME 26 • NUMBER 1 • SPRING 2009 MASTHEAD (CONT’D FROM PAGE 2) FROM THE GUEST EDITORS (CONT’D) to science. They also highlight the stresses that parks face in a changing Park Science is a research and resource management world. The articles from these two sections cover a breadth of scientifi c bulletin of the U.S. National Park Service. It serves a disciplines that would never be brought together at traditional scientifi c broad audience of national park and protected area managers and scientists and provides public outreach. conferences. Published twice a year in spring and fall with occasional The articles in the social/cultural sciences emphasize the importance supplementary issues, Park Science reports the implications of recent and ongoing natural and social of people in the preservation and management of national parks. While science and related cultural research for park planning, research on park visitors has become more common, equally signifi cant management, and policy. Thematic issues that explore a topic in depth are published occasionally. Articles are is research that focuses on park employees, partners, and local residents fi eld-oriented accounts of applied research and resource (present and past). The articles in this section exemplify these topics. management topics that are presented in nontechnical language. They translate scientifi c fi ndings into usable The articles about technology innovation in support of conserva- knowledge for park planning and the development tion illustrate how contemporary park research and management activi- of sound management practices for natural resources and visitor enjoyment. The editor and board review ties can substantially benefi t from scientifi c advances in technology fi elds content for clarity, completeness, usefulness, scientifi c not traditionally associated with national parks. and technical soundness, and relevance to NPS policy. The publication is funded by the Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science through the Conclusion Natural Resource Preservation Program. For more than a decade, the Canon National Parks Science Scholars Article inquiries, submissions, and comments should Program encouraged graduate students to conduct research important to be directed to the editor by e-mail; hard-copy materials should be forwarded to the editorial offi ce. Letters the future of national parks. Many Canon Scholars are now teaching and addressing scientifi c or factual content are welcome