Researchers in the Park by Kristina Heister In 2001, sixteen researchers, from universities near and far, chose to investigate the natural resources of Great Basin National Park. Some of the questions that these researchers will help us answer are: * What small mammals are present? * What types of aquatic macroinvertebrates (stream insects) are present? * How do truffles disperse and what types of truffles live here? * What types of plants live here and where do they live? * How does changing climate affect water efficiency in trees? * How closely related are the marmots at Baker Creek to other marmot populations? * Where in the park are there important geologic formations? The natural resource staff is grateful to have the scientific community interested in park resources as they offer another avenue for obtaining valuable information that staff cannot collect. This partnership also moves us toward our goal of science-based natural resource management at Great Basin. Many of the researchers here last year will be continuing their work in 2002. For example, John Van Hoesen, a geologist from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, discovered two new rock glaciers in the park last year, and this year he will return to try to establish whether they are still active (still ice underneath) or not. In addition to our folks from last year, we also have researchers conducting work on amphibians, reptiles, small and medium-sized mammals, fire history within subalpine habitats and more geology! If you have questions on what research is going on in the park this summer, please contact our Scientific Collecting and Research Permit Coordinator, Kris Heister at 234-7331 ext. 227. Midden Table of Contents