In 2013, Parks Canada published a first draft plan to reintroduce plains bison to Banff National Park. This project was supported by the reasons that bison play a keyrole in the ecosystem and function as a food resource for predators and scavenger. Plains bison play a key role in prairie ecosystems. Through their grazing and wallowing combined with naturally occurring fires, plains bison have a disproportionally large impact on their environment. However, the role bison play in Banff National Park is likely to be of minor importance. In fact, the reintroduction of plains bison may even harm the Banff ecosystem through enhanced seed dispersal of exotic species and fragmentation through bison-fencing. It is concluded that if bison will be reintroduced, more research is needed, first, on the impact of bison to the Banff ecosystem and second, on the impact of bison fencing on the movement of other wildlife. Also, Parks Canada should be willing to cancel the project if the ecological costs outweigh the benefits.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. What are the reasons for Parks Canada to reintroduce Bison?
4. Key role of plains bison in the prairie ecosystem
5. In how far can bison support the ecosystem in Banff NP?
6. The plan to reintroduce Bison to Banff NP
7. Fencing in Banff NP might have negative effects to other wildlife
8. Conclusion
9. References
Objectives and Topics
This paper critically examines the ecological validity of the proposed reintroduction of plains bison to Banff National Park by Parks Canada, questioning whether the bison's role as a keystone species in prairie ecosystems can be effectively transferred to the unique environment of Banff.
- Ecological justification for bison reintroduction
- Bison as a keystone species in prairie environments
- Compatibility of bison impact with Banff National Park's ecosystem
- Risk assessment regarding exotic species dispersal
- Potential negative impacts of necessary bison fencing on wildlife migration
Excerpt from the Book
4. Key role of plains bison in the prairie ecosystem
Indeed there is literature stating that bison is a keystone‐species supporting the arguments of Parks Canada (2013). According to Power et al. (1996) a keystone species is a species that has a disproportionally large impact on its community or ecosystem relative to its abundance.
In the following, I will outline arguments that support the thesis of bison being a keystone species in prairie ecosystems.
In 1987, 30 plains bison were reintroduced to the unplowed Konza tallgrass prairie in Kansas and Utah (Knapp et al. 1999). The herd of bison was not actively managed, only prescribed spring fires were applied to the site to mimic natural fire disturbance (Knapp et al. 1999). Within five years the herd grew to a size of 200 individuals that allowed a good insight into the impacts of bison on their ecosystem.
It was shown that bison graze either in distinct intensive patches or in extensive grazing lawns (Knapp et al. 1999). Bison revisited their grazing sites repeatedly throughout the year which creates relatively sharp edges between grazed and ungrazed vegetation (Knapp et al. 1999). Bison tend to focus the dominant C4 grasses and avoid forbs and woody plants, since they are primarily graminoid feeders (Peden et al. 1974; Fahnestock & Knapp 1993).
Summary of Chapters
1. Abstract: Provides a concise overview of the proposed bison reintroduction, highlighting both potential ecological benefits and risks such as habitat fragmentation and exotic species dispersal.
2. Introduction: Outlines the vision of Parks Canada regarding the restoration of free-roaming bison populations and establishes the focus of the paper on ecological rather than cultural reasons.
3. What are the reasons for Parks Canada to reintroduce Bison?: Details the ecological arguments provided by Parks Canada, including historical presence, habitat maintenance, and the role of carcasses in nutrient cycling.
4. Key role of plains bison in the prairie ecosystem: Investigates the scientific literature defining bison as a keystone species, focusing on grazing patterns, fire interactions, and vegetation structure.
5. In how far can bison support the ecosystem in Banff NP?: Compares the prairie ecosystem context with the unique montane and subalpine vegetation of Banff, questioning the transferability of the keystone concept.
6. The plan to reintroduce Bison to Banff NP: Describes the technical aspects of the reintroduction, including the soft-release paddock strategy and the proposed movement of bison from Elk Island National Park.
7. Fencing in Banff NP might have negative effects to other wildlife: Addresses the conflict between bison management through fencing and the preservation of habitat connectivity for other native wildlife.
8. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, suggesting that while the reintroduction has potential, the ecological risks and uncertainties regarding Banff's specific environment necessitate further research.
9. References: Lists all academic sources and planning documents cited throughout the research paper.
Keywords
Plains bison, Banff National Park, reintroduction, keystone species, ecosystem integrity, prairie ecosystem, grazing, wallowing, biodiversity, wildlife migration, fencing, exotic species, habitat fragmentation, Parks Canada, ecological restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the ecological legitimacy of reintroducing plains bison to Banff National Park by evaluating whether the expected benefits, such as ecosystem restoration, are supported by the specific environmental conditions of the park.
What are the central themes discussed?
Key themes include the keystone species concept, the impact of bison on prairie vegetation, the logistical plans for reintroduction, and the potential negative consequences of fencing on other wildlife.
What is the primary research question?
The paper asks whether the argument for bison as a keystone species, primarily based on prairie ecosystems, remains valid when applied to the different ecosystem context of Banff National Park.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author conducts a critical review of scientific literature and official plans from Parks Canada to synthesize arguments regarding ecological benefits versus potential environmental risks.
What is discussed in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the ecological reasoning behind the proposal, the definition of bison as a keystone species in tallgrass prairies, an analysis of Banff's vegetation zones, and a critique of the planned fencing.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as bison reintroduction, keystone species, Banff National Park, ecological restoration, habitat fragmentation, and wildlife management.
Does the author support the reintroduction?
The author expresses a cautious stance, stating that while the project could be an opportunity for research, Parks Canada should remain prepared to cancel it if ecological costs to the local environment and other wildlife prove too high.
How does the author view the use of fencing?
The author is critical of the fencing plans, arguing that fragmenting a National Park, which is intended to be a continuous area for wildlife, is fundamentally counterproductive to the goals of nature conservation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Benjamin Schwarz (Autor:in), 2013, Reintroduction of Plains Bison (Bison bison bison) to Banff National Park. An ecological necessity?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/280034
