Science and Research in Yellowstone National Park
By: Katelyn Parker/ Photos Provided By: Yellowstone National Park
Since its inception as the nation’s first national park, it has been understood that the educational resources in Yellowstone must be protected and preserved so that it can continue to provide educational insight for future generations. Yellowstone National Park is one of the few places that has seen very little alteration from humans and because of its pristine nature and its unique ecosystem, it is the perfect landscape to conduct a wide array of scientific and research studies.
Types of Research
Yellowstone itself has attracted scientists from around the world for over a century, to study its unique ecosystem and what causes some of the phenomena observed in the park. Yellowstone sits on a super volcano and the hydrothermal features are caused by an underground caldera creating a wonderland of study for geologists. There are several different geological studies happening in the park at any given time and the park is still offering new scientific insight for researchers after 150 years of study.
Physical sciences make up a large percentage of what is studied in the park but what attracts the majority of scientists to Yellowstone is wildlife and biology. Because Yellowstone is a primitive ecosystem, biologists can study wildlife and vegetation without having to factor in human involvement (to an extent). The magnitude of educational resources that Yellowstone provides is incredible and widely sought after in several fields of scientific study. In addition to physical sciences and biology, researchers in microbiology, ecology and others apply for permits to use Yellowstone’s resources for their research.
History of Science
Scientific expeditions have been traveling to Yellowstone for over 150 years, studying anything from archeology to microbiology. Since becoming a national park, regulations have been put in place that regulates and limits research studies conducted in the park. Today, less than 200 research permits are issued each year and permit holders are expected to follow certain rules and guidelines. One of the more famous scientific discoveries to come out of Yellowstone is Dr. Thomas Brock’s discovery of Thermus Aquaticus, a microorganism that’s able to thrive in temperatures of 160 degrees. Thermus Aquaticus would later pave the way for the development of polymerase chain reaction which is a method of replicating and modifying DNA.
The Importance of Our National Parks
The scientific research and educational opportunities that our national parks offer is invaluable and the discoveries that have been made have contributed to the benefit of society and our natural environment. To learn more about scientific research that has been conducted in Yellowstone or information on how to obtain a research permit, visit the National Park Service website.
