On Fire and Water: The Intersection of Wetlands and Burning Strategies in Managing the Anthropogenic Plant Communities of Yosemite National Park

Historical fire suppression and hydrological manipulation by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) have significantly altered culturally significant plant communities in Yosemite National Park, compounding the effects of conifer encroachment on anthropogenic meadows. Research reveals that Native American tribes historically used periodic burning to maintain preferred plant communities, with wetlands playing a crucial cultural and ecological role. Ethnographic investigations show that wetland species were dominant among culturally important plants, and traditional burning practices adapted to seasonal water-table fluctuations in these environments. This study combines historical literature reviews, ethnographic accounts, and guidance from tribal elders to highlight the intersection of fire and water management in shaping culturally significant landscapes.

Deur, D., & Bloom, R. (2024). On Fire and Water: The Intersection of Wetlands and Burning Strategies in Managing the Anthropogenic Plant Communities of Yosemite National Park. Natural Science and Indigenous Knowledge, 201–232. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009416665.008