The Ecological Future of the North American Bison: Conceiving Long‐Term, Large‐Scale Conservation of Wildlife

Abstract

Many wide-ranging mammal species have experienced significant declines over the last 200 years; restoring these species will require long-term, large-scale recovery efforts. We highlight 5 attributes of a recent range-wide vision-setting exercise for ecological recovery of the North American bison (Bison bison) that are broadly applicable to other species and restoration targets. The result of the exercise, the "Vermejo Statement" on bison restoration, is explicitly (1) large scale, (2) long term, (3) inclusive, (4) fulfilling of different values, and (5) ambitious. It reads, in part, "Over the next century, the ecological recovery of the North American bison will occur when multiple large herds move freely across extensive landscapes within all major habitats of their historic range, interacting in ecologically significant ways with the fullest possible set of other native species, and inspiring, sustaining and connecting human cultures." We refined the vision into a scorecard that illustrates how individual bison herds can contribute to the vision. We also developed a set of maps and analyzed the current and potential future distributions of bison on the basis of expert assessment. Although more than 500,000 bison exist in North America today, we estimated they occupy <1% of their historical range and in no place express the full range of ecological and social values of previous times. By formulating an inclusive, affirmative, and specific vision through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, we hope to provide a foundation for conservation of bison, and other wide-ranging species, over the next 100 years.

The role of herbivores in Great Plains conservation: comparative ecology of bison and cattle

“…While propositions to restore or conserve grasslands regularly focus on native herbivores (e.g., Sanderson et al 2008), it is often overlooked that the majority of grasslands are privately owned and used for domestic livestock production (particularly true in the Great Plains of North America; Samson and Knopf 1994). Low and high conservation values can be achieved with bison or cattle.…”

ABS Working Paper 4 - Bison as keystone herbivores on the Great Plains: Can cattle serve as proxy for evolutionary grazing patterns?

“…While propositions to restore or conserve natural landscapes regularly focus on native herbivores (e.g., Sanderson et al 2008), it is often overlooked that many natural landscapes are privately owned and used for domestic livestock production (Samson and Knopf 1994). It is important to state that low and high conservation values can be achieved with both bison and cattle.…”

Identifying the water sources consumed by bison: implications for large mammalian grazers worldwide

“…With fewer puddles and wallows containing water in the areas grazed, bison are likely to spend more time travelling to permanent water sources (rivers) at the expense of time spent foraging and resting, similar to results linking access to drinking-water sources and forage for sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) and zebra (Equus grevyi ) in South Africa (Cain et al 2012). The consequences of modified landscape utilization by large grazers, driven by reduced water availability and climate change, have the potential to impact conservation efforts (Sanderson et al 2008), predator-prey dynamics (McCluney et al 2012), forage quality and availability (Craine et al 2009), migratory behavior (Fryxell and Sinclair 1988) and overall grassland structure and function (Collins et al 1998).…”