The zootic disclimax concept.

Authors(s): A. A. Beetle

Publication: Journal of Range Management

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

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Abstract: Highlight: Some ecologists are using the term "zootic climax ? in the same sense that range managers use the term "zootic disclimax.? If our national parks are to be managed in order that they be natural, it will be important for administrators to understand these two terms and how they differ from the Climatic Climax. No matter how vigorously protested or ignored, it can hardly be considered a secret that throughout this century many reports of poor range conditions in Wyoming have involved the ungulate populations in two national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton (Preble, 1911; Roosevelt 19 12; Graves and Nelson, 1919; Sheldon, 1927; Beetle, 1952,1961, 1962, and 1968). Citing only one or two of these in 1947, Victor H. Cahalane of the Biology Division of the National Park Service reported in the Journal of Mammalogy that ?winter range within Yellowstone Park has been severely damaged by decades of over-use? and that ?overpopulations of mammals threatened destruction of vital forage.? On adjoining Forest Service lands, A.K. Wogensen of the Forest Service in 1951 estimated 27,000 acres in the Gros Ventre, 12,000 acres near Jackson, and 8,000 acres in the Hoback were ?range in poor or depleted condition on which accelerated soil loss is evident. Normally should be taken out of use.? That is if the use involved cattle permits, then the use could be cancelled; but because the use is wild game, numbers actually increased.

Keywords: Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Gros Ventre Range, Jackson Hole, Teton County, Hoback, animal, mammal, livestock, ungulate, food, forage, habitat