Publications
Natural resource conditions at Mesa Verde National Park: Findings and management considerations for selected resources
A comprehensive Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) at Mesa Verde National Park reveals critical stressors threatening its ecosystems, with climate change, increased fire incidence, and the spread of non-native plants identified as primary drivers. The study evaluated six focal resources—avifauna, deer & elk, rare plants, the Mancos River, upland vegetation, and seeps & springs—using condition assessments and gap analyses where data was limited. Key findings indicate deteriorating conditions for passerines, hummingbirds, rare plants, and riparian ecosystems, while also highlighting significant knowledge gaps in raptor populations, deer & elk dynamics, and upland vegetation outside piñon-juniper woodlands. Management recommendations are provided to address these challenges, offering actionable insights for preserving the park's biodiversity and ecological integrity.
"Mesa Verde Belongs to You": A Spatial Analysis of Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park, spanning over 50,000 acres of federally protected land, serves as a critical lens to examine the intersections of colonialism, wilderness, and archaeology. This study reveals that MVNP perpetuates settler-indigenous dynamics through its construction of wilderness, preservation of archaeological sites, and interpretation of ancestral Puebloan material culture. By applying Delle's theoretical framework of space as material culture, the research analyzes the material, cognitive, and social dimensions of the park to uncover how these practices reify colonial relationships. The findings underscore the need for decolonization efforts within such protected spaces, offering a pathway to challenge and transform these entrenched dynamics.
A Summary of 25 Years of Research on Water Supplies of the Ancestral Pueblo People
A 25-year study reveals that the ancestral Pueblo people of Mesa Verde National Park ingeniously managed limited water resources through sophisticated reservoir systems. Researchers identified four mounded areas as ancient reservoirs, which required frequent dredging due to high sediment runoff—a testament to their resourcefulness and organizational skills. The investigation, conducted by a multidisciplinary team from Wright Water Engineers and the Wright Paleohydrological Institute, combined climate research, lab analyses, field surveys, and sediment layer analysis to uncover how these communities harvested and maintained water access in the arid Four Corners region between 750 and 1280 CE. The findings highlight their advanced understanding of water management in a challenging environment.
Long-term trend in the aquatic macroinvertebrate community of the Mancos River at Mesa Verde National Park: Aquatic macroinvertebrate monitoring 2008-2019
A long-term study (2008–2019) of the Mancos River at Mesa Verde National Park reveals significant declines in sensitive aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa, driven by thermal and hydrologic stress. Key findings include excessive summer stream temperatures exceeding Colorado’s water quality standards and concurrent low-flow periods, both linked to declines in intolerant species such as Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera (EPT) taxa. The study used multi-metric indices to demonstrate ecological impairment at two monitoring sites, attributing these trends to climate-related stresses. Future management must prioritize tracking thermal and hydrologic conditions to mitigate impacts on stream ecosystems.
Life at Mesa Verde: An Analysis of Health and Trauma from Wetherill Mesa, Mesa Verde National Park
A systematic analysis of bioarchaeological data from Wetherill Mesa burials at Mesa Verde National Park reveals that residents of Pueblo III cliff dwellings experienced significant physiological stress, likely due to resource scarcity, overcrowding, and unsanitary living conditions. This stress may have contributed to the depopulation of the Four Corners region during the late 13th century. Additionally, skeletal fracture data suggest a decrease in trauma during this period, though evidence of culturally mediated violence or violent attacks at Long House hints at insecurity that could have further motivated migration.
Post-Fire Effects on the Globally Imperiled Chapin Mesa Milkvetch (Astragalus schmolliae), 2001–2019
A crown fire in Mesa Verde National Park in 2002 initially boosted the population of Chapin Mesa milkvetch (Astragalus schmolliae), a globally imperiled, endemic plant. However, by 2019, the density of juvenile and adult plants in burned areas had declined to half that of unburned areas, with near-zero recruitment observed in burned transects. This reversal is likely due to intensified competition from invasive grasses like cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), which now dominate the post-fire landscape. The study, spanning 18 years, highlights the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate competition and preserve old-growth pinon-juniper woodland ecosystems critical for the survival of this imperiled species.
Archaeology and tourism at Mesa Verde National Park
A critical examination of the intersection between archaeology, tourism, and development at Mesa Verde National Park reveals how these forces perpetuate environmental injustices against descendant Pueblo communities. The study highlights that while tourists are drawn to iconic cliff-dwelling sites like Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House for exploration and fascination, these practices often disregard the ancestral significance of the land for Indigenous peoples. Using a conceptual framework from environmental justice studies, the research advocates for a more ethical approach to heritage management, one that centers the voices and perspectives of descendant communities in conservation and tourism narratives.
Effects of Recent Wildfires in Piñon-Juniper Woodlands of Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, USA
Recent wildfires in Mesa Verde National Park have significantly altered the resilience and recovery dynamics of piñon-juniper woodlands, with sprouting woodlands (SPW) showing greater resistance to fire compared to obligate seeding woodlands (OSW). SPW stands recovered faster pre-fire structure and species composition, while OSW stands experienced slower recovery and increased invasion by nonnative plant species. No reestablishment of piñon or juniper trees has been observed post-fire. If current trends persist, some SPW areas may transition to persistent shrublands, while OSW areas could shift to novel herbaceous vegetation dominated by nonnative species. This study highlights the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate-driven changes and fire frequency, with implications for similar woodlands across the region.
Mesa Verde National Park: Acoustic monitoring report
Acoustic monitoring at Mesa Verde National Park identified major noise sources, including vehicles and aircraft in backcountry areas and buildings/vehicles in frontcountry sites. The study established a baseline soundscape inventory using continuous sound pressure level (SPL) measurements, wind speed data, and digital audio recordings over two periods (2015–2016). Key findings include time-audible metrics for noise sources and ambient sound levels, with SPL measured as A-weighted, 1-second averaged values (LAeq, 1s). The research aims to support soundscape management planning by providing indicators and thresholds for acoustic environment protection. Results will also aid future comparative studies on park acoustics.
The Curious Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii) Trees in Schulman Grove, Mesa Verde National Park, Southwestern Colorado, USA
A reanalysis of tree-ring samples from the Schulman Grove in Mesa Verde National Park challenges previous claims that Ancestral Puebloan inhabitants practiced precolumbian forest management on Douglas-fir trees. While earlier studies (1954, 1965) suggested evidence of stone-axe-cut limbs, this study could not confirm such findings through controlled analysis and comparison of archived and newly collected samples. The research highlights the importance of rigorous replication in archaeological dendrochronology to validate historical interpretations.
Bats of Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado: Composition, Reproduction, and Roosting Habits
A comprehensive study of the bat fauna at Mesa Verde National Park revealed that 14 species, representing nearly all known bat species west of the Great Plains in Colorado, inhabit the park. The research found significant variations in reproductive rates linked to spring precipitation, with drought conditions potentially impacting bat populations more severely due to forecasted climate changes. Notably, radiotracking identified rock crevices as the primary roosting habitat for five species, contrasting with their known use of trees in other regions. No drastic shifts in bat community composition were observed following recent stand-replacing fires, suggesting resilience or adaptability.
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