Ecological and social consequences of bison reintroduction in Colorado

Abstract

Bison were instrumental in shaping North America's Great Plains. Interest in restoring this iconic species and their ecological role in grassland ecosystems is rapidly gaining momentum. To evaluate the potential for bison to enhance habitat quality for wildlife and catalyze public engagement in grassland conservation, we assessed both the ecological and social effects of a recent bison reintroduction (2015) to northern Colorado. Specifically, we explored the effect of bison reintroduction on: (a) bird density and habitat use, (b) mammal habitat use, (c) vegetation composition and structure, and (d) visitor connectedness, known as place attachment, to a shortgrass prairie. We predicted that bison reintroduction would reduce cover and height of some grasses and shrubs, which would increase density and habitat use for obligate shortgrass prairie birds, and increase habitat use for coyote and lagomorphs. In addition, we predicted that visitors would express stronger place attachment to this grassland once bison were reintroduced. To measure ecological and social responses, we surveyed birds, mammals, and plants; and conducted structured visitor surveys before and after bison reintroduction. We found few short-term effects of bison on grassland bird density and habitat use, mammal habitat use, and vegetation composition and structure. However, we measured a significant increase in visitor place attachment to the grassland site 1 year after bison reintroduction. Our results suggest that a new bison reintroduction may have immediate positive benefits for connecting people to conservation, and that the ecological and social effects may unfold over different time scales. We recommend that future bison reintroduction efforts monitor ecological and social outcomes to advance reintroduction biology.

Avian species richness and abundance show stronger responses to bison grazing intensity than to ecosystem productivity

“…Our study takes place in locations where bison grazing effects have been present on the landscape for many decades. But Wilkins et al (2019) did not find any changes in bird density 2 years after bison reintroduction in a shortgrass prairie system. McMillan et al (2019) found mixed support for vegetation changes that could influence grassland songbird community responses 10 years after bison reintroduction in a mixed‐grass system.…”

“…There is substantial interest in reintroducing bison on the landscape (Fuhlendorf et al, 2018; Sanderson et al, 2008). Thus, understanding the role of bison as conduits of environmental modification is increasingly important to integrate their ecological effects into grassland songbird conservation efforts (McMillan et al, 2019; Wilkins et al, 2019).…”

Public perceptions of an avian reintroduction aiming to connect people with nature

“…Although understudied, evidence suggests that reintroductions have the potential to (re)establish important socio‐cultural connections between people, wildlife and landscapes (e.g. Lindon & Root‐Bernstein, 2015; Wilkins et al, 2019). Auster, Barr, et al (2020) suggest that positive emotions generated by seeing certain reintroduced species or signs of their presence could lead to mental health benefits.…”

Conservation Translocations

“…In New Zealand there has been a large increase in the number of community-led projects that can result in wider engagement and interest in environmental issues (Department of Conservation, 2012). The reintroduction of bison Bison bison to North America's Great Plains was found to have immediate positive benefits on visitors and in connecting people to conservation (Wilkins et al, 2019). There can be direct economic benefits too; for example £4.9 to £8 million of annual tourist spend on the Isle of Mull in Scotland results from people wishing to see the white-tailed eagles that resulted from reintroduction (Morling, 2022).…”