Norland et al. conducted this study in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP), North Dakota, to determine bison (Bison bison) stocking rates that would minimize damage to indigenous plant communities, and be compatible with other management goals, such as minimizing breakouts, maximizing opportunities for viewers to observe bison and minimizing the extent of visually intrusive intervention in bison use. After looking at habitat use, food habitats, and distribution used in a linear model, the compromise that is optimum for the South Unit of TRNP is a stocking base of approximately 200 bison. Establishing 200 as a base stocking level will allow considerable flexibility in population control. Numbers could be allowed to reach more than 400 in average rainfall years and be maintained at this level for 1-2 drought years, before serious damage to plant communities would be expected.
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