Comparing environmental values across major U.S. national parks

Abstract

Environmental values at four of America's most famous national parks are assessed through a structured survey technique. Resource and wildland fire managers in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain national parks were surveyed to identify the most important values that could be improved or that should be protected from wildland fire. In some instances wildland fire can produce beneficial effects on the landscape by treating vegetation to restore or maintain the natural system. In other circumstances, wildland fire can severely affect life, property and treasured natural resources. This research identifies the key sets of values potentially affected by wildland fire across each of the four national parks and compares the relative importance of each kind of value. With a diverse set of famous North American national parks, this research shows which values they share and which values are unique. This was accomplished by implementing a structured and peer-reviewed elicitation process. For the first time, we show the set of values important to each of these national parks and how they compare and contrast. © 2010 WIT Press.