Shepardson, Daniel P. 1980. The Affect (SIC) of Moisture, Wildlife Utilization, and Fire Suppression on Regeneration of Uncommon Trees and Shrubs of Wind Cave National Park. 15 p.

Abstract

Wind Cave National Park is nestled in South Dakota's Black Hills and encompasses some 11,340 hectares of folling mixed grass prairie and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest. The park was established in the southwest portion of the Black Hills in 1903 principley for the protection of Wind Cave.

The park however, also protected a highly diverst ecosystem consisting of flora from the east, desert vegetation from the southwest, and prairie grasses of the plains. The interspersion of these plant communities have created highly diverst ecotones, which abound with various wildlife species.

The lack of growth, regeneration, and expansion of various plant species from the conifer forest and deciduous forest ecotones, termed uncommon trees and shrubs, had lead to their study and survey in order to determine the influence of wildlife utilization, moisture, and fire suppression on their life cycles.