Yellowstone Field Study: Session One
Texts
Geology:
TBA
Biology:
Keiter, Robert and Mark Boyce (eds.). The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (Yale University Press, 1991). [Chapters 1–3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16–24.]
Issues:
Baden, John A. and Donald Snow (eds.). The Next West: Public Lands, Community and Economy in the American West. (Washington, D.C.: The Gallatin Institute, 1997.)
| Lecture No. | Day/Date | Lecture Topic |
| 1 | W June 13 | Students arrive—general meeting at 8 p.m. |
| 2 | H June 14 | Geologic history of Yellowstone/mineralization and mountain building [Cooke City area] |
| 3 | F June 15 | Older volcanism [Mt. Washburn area] |
| 4 | Sa June 16 | Older and recent volcanism [Tower and Specimen Ridge areas] |
| 5 | Su June 17 | OPEN |
| 6 | M June 18 | Recent seismic and volcanic activity [Mammoth and Norris areas] |
| 7 | T June 19 | Hydrology and glaciology of Yellowstone [Yellowstone Lake and Yellowstone River] |
| 8 | W June 20 | Geothermal processes in Yellowstone [Mammoth and Norris geyser basin] |
| 9 | H June 21 | Geothermal processes [Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone] |
| 10 | F June 22 | G8: **Examination one** |
| 11 | Sa June 23 | [a.m.] K-Z: Ecology concepts and terms. Acquisition of ADAPTATIONS. [p.m.] Crazy Creek Trail [Montane life zone—species types and numbers] |
| 12 | Su June 24 | OPEN |
| 13 | M June 25 | [a.m.] Confluence: causes of biogeography [p.m.] Observation of species distribution on Beartooth Highway [Montane, Subalpine, and Alpine life zones] |
| 14 | T June 26 | [a.m.] Barn: COMMUNITY: Populations and mechanisms of growth rate regulation [p.m.] Clark's Fork Highway [lower to middle Montane life zone] Old growth forest |
| 15 | W June 27 | [a.m.] Bison issue [John Mack] [p.m.] Yellowstone wolf project [Doug Smith] |
| 16 | H June 28 | Exit of Clark's Fork into Big Horn basin. Grass/shrub life zone. ECOSYSTEMS: Organization, energy flow and nutrient cycles. |
| 17 | F June 29 | Reef Creek hike. Causes and consequences of ecosystem disruption. Evidence for historical and contemporary succession. |
| 18 | Sa June 30 | Island Lake hike. Comparative observations of the Subalpine and Alpine Life Zones. Review mechanisms and consequences of energy flow in ecosystems. Ecosystem stability and future prospects. |
| 19 | Su July 1 | OPEN |
| 20 | M July 2 | **Examination two** [Field examination] |
| 21 | T July 3 | History of settlement of the West and associated natural resources law |
| 22 | W July 4 | History of settlement of the West and associated law |
| 23 | H July 5 | "Man and Nature," environmental values, conflicting demands on public lands |
| 24 | F July 6 | Visit museums in Cody. Continued historical and legal discussions. |
| 25 | Sa July 7 | Western economic values and environmentalism |
| 26 | Su July 9 | OPEN |
| 27 | M July 9 | Controversies about environmentalism and the law |
| 28 | T July 10 | Controversies about environmentalism and the law |
| 29 | W July 11 | **Examination three** |
| 30 | H July 12 | Students depart |