Fauna Series No. 2 Cover Contents Foreword Introduction Part I Part II

Fauna of the National Parks of the United States PART II REPORT UPON WINTER RANGE OF THE NORTHERN YELLOWSTONE ELK HERD AND A SUGGESTED PROGRAM FOR ITS RESTORATION Figures 34 and 35. – This is what is happening to the aspen groves all over the elk winter range. Elk strip the bark from mature aspens, which is the apparent cause of early death of these trees. Note the dead and down timber. Note also that all the young aspen reproduction is a mass of bare sticks, in most cases dead. If the present elk pressure is maintained, aspen groves will disappear within a few years from the Yellowstone elk winter range. This means hard times for beavers also. (Photograph taken September 17, 1933, on Tower Falls Road, Yellowstone. Wildlife Division Nos. 3281 and 3282.) Figure 36. – Overbrowsed by elk. This is what is meant by loss of food and habitat of ground-dwelling birds and small mammals. Note, also what has become of winter range for antelope, deer, and mountain sheep. Overabundance of elk truly is driving these other forms of life out of the park. (Photograph taken June 8, 1932, near Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowsone. Wildlife Division No. 2542.) Figure 37. – Erosion is under way. As evidenced by the remaining stubs, this gulch was once well protected by grass and shrubby growth. It is now stripped naked, and the fertile soil is washing away. Erosion is hard to stop once it starts. (Photograph taken June 9, 1932, west of Gardiner, Yellowstone. Wildlife Division No. 2437.) NEXT> Photo Collection (continued)

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