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Proceedings
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The Field Of Education In The National Parks
The Educational Program And Its Place In National Parks Administration
Administration Of Park Museums
Scientific Aspects Of The Park Protection Program
The Research Program In The National Parks
Use Of Recorded Scientific Data
Research Reserves
Libraries In The National Parks
Photography And Visual Education
General Administrative Problems
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Proceedings Of The
First Park Naturalists' Training Conference Held At Educational
Headquarters, Berkeley, California:
November 1-30, 1929 |
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RESEARCH RESERVES
WHAT IS A RESEARCH RESERVE?
Discussion by all members of the Conference:
Considerable time was devoted to an analyses of the purposes, characteristics, uses, and other features of research reserves in an effort to clarify the subject and coordinate the ideas of those present. Following the discussion, each member of the group was asked to draft a concise definition of the term "research reserve." The definitions are as follows:
A research reserve in a national park is a biotic unit which is definitely set aside from its surroundings for purposes of experiment or study.
Edwin D. McKee
A research reserve is an area which will henceforth be maintained in its natural condition, for the purpose of research along one or several scientific lines.
Dorr G. Yeager
A research reserve is an area set aside for scientific study and experimentation to be maintained in (as near as possible) primitive condition which serves as a meeting ground for the scientific and educational phases of national park work.
C. Frank Brockman
A research reserve is a tract or tracts of considerable enough extent within our parks which offer in their present condition natural phenomena for strictly research purposes. They are not to be fenced, trailed, planted to fish, etc.
C. A. Harwell
A research reserve must be a certain area embodying as nearly as possible ideal natural qualifications for the permission of continued observation of natural history.
Geo. L. Collins
Research reserves are areas of adequate size that are set aside permanently, free from human influence, for study of natural sciences.
Frank T. Been
By research reserves we understand representative portions of national parks of particular biotic interest which have been heretofore and shall continue to be kept unchanged as far as possible by human or other external factors.
Geo. C. Ruhle
Research Reserve: An area comprising a logical biotic unit either typical of the locality or exhibiting special or unique features, set aside (either temporary or permanently) for scientific observation and research, with the understanding that it shall be as little influenced by human use and occupation as circumstances permit or research necessitates.
John D. Coffman
A research reserve is an area permanently set aside exclusively for scientific study.
Ansel F. Hall
Discussion following consideration of the various definitions:
The areas selected as research reserves should be of particular interest and should be selected with great care and after proper consideration of the types of natural phenomena which they will exemplify.
The areas must be biotic units and net merely sample plots.
It will seldom be possible to select an area ideal for the study of all floral and faunal features, but an effort should be made to select an area which presents optimum conditions for the most important species.
Objection was raised to the use of the term "natural" in the definition of the research reserve, since no agreement could be reached as to the definite meaning of this term.
It was agreed that, where possible, areas should be selected whore conditions have not been modified by human influence. It was the consensus of opinion that previous modification by human influence should not preclude establishment of research reserves in case virgin areas cannot be found.
The research reserve should be set aside for special study and its specific purpose should be recognized at the time of establishment.
It was agreed that in research reserves no experiment should be carried on which will modify the natural balance.
There was a long discussion on the subject of the determination of size of research areas. The conclusion reached was that size will be determined by natural topographic boundaries and that the area should be large enough to include as nearly as possible a biotic unit, especially for the most important species under consideration.
Following these discussions a committee, composed of Geo. C. Ruhle, (chairman), C. Frank Brockman, and J. D. Coffman, drafted the following definition for a research reserve:
A research reserve is an area comprising a logical biotic unit, representative of virgin growth or exhibiting special or unique features, permanently set aside for scientific observation and research, with the understanding that it shall be as little influenced by human use and occupation as conditions permit.
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