Restoring biodiversity in park and wilderness areas: an assessment of the Yellowstone wildfires

Scientific management is essential for restoring biodiversity in park and wilderness areas. A fundamental requirement of scientific management is quantitative or measurable standards for judging success. A qualitative goal is also needed to guide action prior to setting quantitative standards. Quantitative standards are a measurable but necessarily imperfect representation of the goal. Goals and standards are the most important parts of the general procedure that is followed in scientific management. The Yellowstone wildfires of 1988 illustrate the problems that occur when theology replaces science as a means for restoring biodiversity in park and wilderness areas