Forest floor narrative

As humans spread invasive species around and alter fire regimes, we change the basic functioning of single keystone species, which ultimately radiates to other species. With whitebark pines declining from 40%-90% throughout their range, these high elevation regions are drastically being transformed. Grizzly bears depend on these fatty pine nuts to get them through the harshest winter months when little else is available. As these tree populations decrease, the fight for survival intensifies. It is time we all think about plant conservation and our role as humans in protecting these truly wild places. I’m here to remind you, and remind myself, that the struggle for survival in Yellowstone is ramping up, and that the decimation of one species radiates throughout the food web, which increases competition, which unfortunately increases the rates of human-bear conflicts.

Dwindling Pines increase bear-human conflict near Yellowstone National Park As humans spread invasive species around and alter fire regimes, we change the basic functioning of single keystone species, which ultimately radiates to other species. With whitebark pines declining from 40%-90% throughout their range, these high elevation regions are drastically being transformed.

June 5th

The acoustic environments found in forests around the world greatly impact the interactions and behavior of the wildlife present. Learning more about bioacoustics can lead to entirely new perspectives of ecological interactions within our planet’s forests. While appearing subtle, this has a great impact on the organization of our biosphere. From the world’s largest land animal to the simplest forms of vegetation, all life is truly informed by these invisible interactions.

Sound: How different organisms interact with these invisible vibrations ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~