Mischaracterization of bison migratory patterns in Yellowstone National Park: Consequences for the Green Wave Hypothesis

Abstract

Geremia et al. (1) analyze a range of data on bison movement, remotely sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and plant dietary quality at Yellowstone National Park to test tenets of the Green Wave Hypothesis (GWH). The authors conclude that bison migrate in concert with plant phenological development along elevational gradients in the spring and then slow their migration to consume high-quality forage on previously grazed areas. To this point, the authors state that, “While most bison surfed during early spring, they eventually slowed and let the green wave pass them by” (ref. 1, p. 25707). Likewise, they state that, “Across their migratory paths, bison … surfed by matching their date of use with the date of peak IRG … but mainly in early spring…. [B]ison exhibited a consistent pattern … [↵][1]1Email: josephmcraine{at}gmail.com. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1