View source for Kaibab Plateau

{{Short description|Landform in Arizona and Utah, United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Kaibab
| other_name = Buckskin Mountain, Buckskin Plateau, Kaibab Mountain
| etymology = [[Southern Paiute people|Southern Paiute]] word meaning "mountain lying down"
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang = 
| translation = 
| pronunciation = 
| photo = Kaibab Plateau 2006-04-30 MODIS 250m.jpg
| photo_size = of the Kaibab Plateau
| photo_caption = Kaibab Plateau viewed from space, April 2006
| map = Arizona#USA
| map_image = 
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = Location in of the Kaibab Plateau
| map_relief = 
| map_size = 
| location = [[Coconino County, Arizona|Coconino County]], [[Arizona]] and [[Kane County, Utah|Kane County]], [[Utah]] in the United States
| label = Kaibab_Plateau
| label_position = right
| elevation_ft = 8701
| elevation_ref = <ref name="gnis"/>
| prominence_ft = 3580
| prominence_ref = <ref name="pbhp"/>
| isolation_mi = 70.44
| isolation_ref = <ref name="loj"/>
| parent_peak = 
| listing = [[List of mountain peaks of Arizona]]
| range = 
| coordinates = {{coord|36|7|36|N|112|0|32|W|region:US|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref = <ref name="gnis"/>
| topo = 
| type = 
| age = 
| geology = 
| first_ascent = 
| easiest_route = 
| normal_route = 
| access = 
| child = 
| embedded = 
}}

The '''Kaibab Plateau''' is a [[plateau]] almost entirely in [[Coconino County, Arizona]] (but extending slightly north into [[Kane County, Utah|Kane County]], [[Utah]]) in the [[Southwestern United States]].<ref name="pb">{{peakbagger|13433|Kaibab Plateau}}</ref> The high plain is also known as the '''Buckskin Mountain''', '''Buckskin Plateau''', and '''Kaibab Mountain'''.<ref name="gnis">{{gnis|6583|Kaibab Plateau}}</ref>

==Description==
[[Image:Kaibab Plateau 100 2838 0225 edited-1.jpg|thumb|left|View of the [[Vermillion Cliffs]] (to the northeast) from the Kaibab Plateau, June 2008]]
The plateau, part of the larger [[Colorado Plateau]], is bordered on the south by the [[Grand Canyon]] and reaches an elevation of {{convert|9200|ft|m|}}. The plateau is divided between [[Kaibab National Forest]] and the "North Rim" portion of [[Grand Canyon National Park]]. Tributary [[canyon]]s of the [[Colorado River]] form the plateau's eastern and western boundaries, and tiers of uplifted [[cliff]]s define the northern edges of the [[landform]]. Winter snowfall is often heavy (sometimes exceeding {{convert|17|ft|m|disp=sqbr}}), and this creates opportunities for [[backcountry]] Nordic skiing and snow camping.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpluhna.nau.edu/Places/kaibab_plateau.htm|title=Land Use History of North America: Colorado Plateau: Kaibab Plateau, Arizona|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219204855/http://www.cpluhna.nau.edu/Places/kaibab_plateau.htm |archive-date=19 December 2005|via=[[Wayback Machine]]}}</ref>

This broad feature is heavily forested with [[aspen]], [[spruce]]-[[fir]], [[ponderosa pine]], and [[pinyon-juniper woodland]], and stands in sharp contrast to the arid lowlands encircling it. The cool forests of the plateau are home to the [[Kaibab squirrel]], which is [[endemic]] to the region. Other fauna includes [[deer]], [[Turkey (bird)|turkey]], [[cougar]], and [[bobcat]]. The Kaibab deer are particularly important because of the changes in their population during the early 1900s. This particular fluctuation is a great example of population engineering and the effects humans can have on nature.

==Physiography==
The Kaibab Plateau consists of approximately {{convert|1152|sqmi|km2}} which are above {{convert|6000|ft|m}}. The highest point has an elevation of {{convert|9200|ft|m}},<ref name="pbhp">{{peakbagger|3904|Kaibab Plateau High Point, Arizona}}</ref><ref name="sp">{{cite summitpost|319719|Kaibab Plateau & North Rim Lookout}}</ref> a [[topographic prominence]] of {{convert|3580|ft|m}},<ref name="pbhp"/> and a [[topographic isolation]] of {{convert|70.44|mi|km}}.<ref name="loj">{{cite loj|16866|Kaibab Plateau AZ}}</ref> The plateau is bounded on the south by the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, the elevation in this southern area of the plateau varies from {{convert|8800|ft|m}} to slightly less than {{convert|6000|ft|m}}.

The most extensive platform of the plateau is the Esplanade, which is called "Sand Rocks" by local cowboys. This area was formed as a result from weathering of the Hermit shale, which left a hard layer of Permian sandstone exposed. This red sandstone is one of the outstanding features of the plateau.

The plateau's western boundary is the Kanab Creek Canyon which high perpendicular walls form a natural barrier to the movement of most animals. The northwestern boundary of the plateau is marked by a fault line north of the Snake Gulch which is approximately sixteen miles to the east of the Kanab Creek. The eastern boundary is marked by the so-called Houserock Valley, which is a marble platform caused by a monoclinical fold, which strata dips down 2,000 to 3,000 feet.<ref name="rasmussen">{{cite journal|title=Biotic Communities of Kaibab Plateau, Arizona|last=Rasmussen|first=D. Irwin|journal=Ecological Monographs|publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley]]|location=Hoboken, New Jersey|volume=11|number=3|pages=229&ndash;275|date=July 1941|doi=10.2307/1943204|jstor=1943204}}</ref>

==Climate==
Major precipitation events of the Kaibab Plateau consist of thunderstorms in late summer during the summer monsoon season, and snow in winter. Drier weather occurs at other times of the year. There was an average annual precipitation of {{convert|26.57|in|cm}} for the period 1925 to 1936. During winter, snow may be heavy and can accumulate to a depth of {{convert|8|-|10|ft|m}}. June is the driest month of the year, followed by May and early July.

Storms occur several times each week until early September. The highest portions of the plateau are usually touched by snow, and snowstorms usually occur between May and September.<ref name="rasmussen"/>

The Kaibab Plateau High Point, {{cvt|9213|ft}},<ref name = "kaibabHP"> {{cite web|url =  https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=3904 |publisher = Peakbagger |title = Kaibab Plateau High Point, Arizona |access-date = January 1, 2024}} </ref> has a [[Humid_continental_climate#Definition|dry-summer humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dsb''), bordering on a [[subarctic climate|dry-summer subalpine climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dsc''). Most of the plateau is within the 6b [[Hardiness zone|USDA Hardiness Zone]] (-5°F to 0°F), with the highest elevations in the 6a zone (-10°F to -5°F).<ref name = "USDA">{{cite web|url = https://www.plantmaps.com/en/us/f/hz/state/arizona/plant-hardiness-zones |publisher = Plantmaps.com |title = Arizona Hardiness Zones Map – 2023 |access-date = January 1, 2024}}</ref> There is no weather station at the summit, but this climate table contains [[Interpolation|interpolated]] data for an area around the summit.
{{Weather box
|location = Kaibab Plateau HP 36.3923 N, 112.1498 W, Elevation: {{cvt|9150.|ft}} (1991–2020 normals)
|single line = y

|Jan high F = 38.8
|Feb high F = 39.9
|Mar high F = 45.6
|Apr high F = 51.1
|May high F = 60.5
|Jun high F = 72.8
|Jul high F = 76.6
|Aug high F = 74.1
|Sep high F = 68.2
|Oct high F = 57.4
|Nov high F = 46.0
|Dec high F = 38.2

|Jan mean F = 27.0
|Feb mean F = 27.9
|Mar mean F = 33.0
|Apr mean F = 38.0
|May mean F = 46.9
|Jun mean F = 57.5
|Jul mean F = 62.8
|Aug mean F = 60.8
|Sep mean F = 54.4
|Oct mean F = 44.1
|Nov mean F = 34.3
|Dec mean F = 26.8

|Jan low F = 15.3
|Feb low F = 15.8
|Mar low F = 20.3
|Apr low F = 25.0
|May low F = 33.3
|Jun low F = 42.2
|Jul low F = 49.0
|Aug low F = 47.5
|Sep low F = 40.7
|Oct low F = 30.8
|Nov low F = 22.6
|Dec low F = 15.4

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.33
|Feb precipitation inch = 5.01
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.39
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.66
|May precipitation inch = 1.17
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.60
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.99
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.91
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.89
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.24
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.88
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.85

|source=PRISM Climate Group<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/
|title= PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University
|publisher= PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University
|access-date= January 1, 2024
|quote= To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking ''Coordinates'' (under ''Location''); copy ''Latitude'' and ''Longitude figures'' from top of table; click ''Zoom to location''; click ''Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp''; click ''30-year normals, 1991–2020''; click ''800m''; click ''Retrieve Time Series'' button.}}</ref>
}}

Dry Park is a [[Remote Automated Weather Station]] located 6 miles northwest of the Kaibab Plateau High Point, at an elevation of 8706 ft (2654 m).<ref name = "drypark">{{cite web|url = https://geographic.org/global_weather/arizona/dry_park_arizona_DRY.html |publisher = geographic.org |title = Data of Meteorological Station Maverick Fork, Arizona |access-date = January 1, 2024}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = Dry Park (RAWS), Arizona, 1999–2020 normals: 8706ft (2654m)
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high F = 67
|Feb record high F = 64
|Mar record high F = 75
|Apr record high F = 76
|May record high F = 86
|Jun record high F = 89
|Jul record high F = 96
|Aug record high F = 92
|Sep record high F = 89
|Oct record high F = 79
|Nov record high F = 72
|Dec record high F = 70
|year record high F = 

|Jan avg record high F = 59.0
|Feb avg record high F = 58.7
|Mar avg record high F = 62.7
|Apr avg record high F = 69.0
|May avg record high F = 77.9
|Jun avg record high F = 86.1
|Jul avg record high F = 88.3
|Aug avg record high F = 84.5
|Sep avg record high F = 81.0
|Oct avg record high F = 72.1
|Nov avg record high F = 65.5
|Dec avg record high F = 58.7
|year avg record high F = 88.8

|Jan high F = 43.0
|Feb high F = 43.6
|Mar high F = 49.0
|Apr high F = 54.3
|May high F = 64.8
|Jun high F = 76.9
|Jul high F = 79.0
|Aug high F = 76.3
|Sep high F = 70.7
|Oct high F = 59.6
|Nov high F = 49.4
|Dec high F = 41.4
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 30.7
|Feb mean F = 31.3
|Mar mean F = 36.1
|Apr mean F = 41.4
|May mean F = 50.1
|Jun mean F = 60.1
|Jul mean F = 64.3
|Aug mean F = 62.1
|Sep mean F = 56.1
|Oct mean F = 46.3
|Nov mean F = 37.4
|Dec mean F = 29.9
|year mean F = 

|Jan low F = 18.4
|Feb low F = 18.9
|Mar low F = 23.3
|Apr low F = 28.5
|May low F = 35.4
|Jun low F = 43.3
|Jul low F = 49.6
|Aug low F = 47.8
|Sep low F = 41.5
|Oct low F = 33.0
|Nov low F = 25.3
|Dec low F = 18.4
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 0.6
|Feb avg record low F = 1.1
|Mar avg record low F = 7.9
|Apr avg record low F = 15.5
|May avg record low F = 24.1
|Jun avg record low F = 32.0
|Jul avg record low F = 41.4
|Aug avg record low F = 40.4
|Sep avg record low F = 29.7
|Oct avg record low F = 20.0
|Nov avg record low F = 7.2
|Dec avg record low F = 1.2
|year avg record low F = -4.1

|Jan record low F = −15
|Feb record low F = −8
|Mar record low F = 1
|Apr record low F = 8
|May record low F = 17
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 35
|Aug record low F = 32
|Sep record low F = 20
|Oct record low F = 2
|Nov record low F = -4
|Dec record low F = −13
|year record low F =  

|source 1 = XMACIS2<ref name = XMACIS>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = January 1, 2024
}}
</ref>
}}

==Kaibab deer==
[[Image:DEER IN KAIBAB NATIONAL FOREST, NEAR THE NORTH RIM OF GRAND CANYON - NARA - 544114.tif|left|thumb|Kaibab deer from the [[DOCUMERICA]] series, a program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency to photograph subjects of American environmental concern during the 1970s, May 1972 image]]
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Kaibab Plateau was witness to an interesting experiment in what some might call population engineering. The plateau's pre-1905 population of [[mule deer]] was estimated to be around 4,000.  This number was never confirmed by any kind of count or survey, and has become an accepted number mainly because no other estimate is available. The average [[carrying capacity]] of the land was unknown, in part because this concept was not widely used by naturalists at the time.  Years later, [[Aldo Leopold]] estimated that the capacity had been about 30,000 deer.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

The idea in 1906 was simply to protect and expand the herd, so on November 28, President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] created the Grand Canyon National Game Preserve. [[Overgrazing]] by herds of sheep, cattle, and horses had taken place on the plateau since the 1880s.  During that time, many predators were also killed by ranchers and bounty hunters.  By the time Roosevelt established the game preserve, ranchers had moved most domestic livestock elsewhere. The primary change brought by the creation of the game preserve was to ban deer hunting. Government efforts, led by the [[United States Forest Service]], began to protect the deer's numbers by killing off their [[natural predator]]s once again; to this end, between 1907 and 1939, 816 [[Cougar|mountain lions]], 20 [[Gray wolf|wolves]], 7388 [[coyote]]s and over 500 [[bobcat]]s were reportedly killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://depts.alverno.edu/nsmt/youngcc/research/kaibab/story1.html|title=A history of the Kaibab deer|last=Young|first=Chris}}</ref>

The deer population experienced a great increase in numbers during the early decades of the 20th century. One estimate put the population as high as 100,000 deer inhabiting the range in 1924. Again, there was no systematic survey to support this estimate, which may have been exaggerated to twice the actual number. Shortly after that time, however, the deer population did begin to decline from [[Browsing (predation)|over-browsing]]. By the mid-1920s, many deer were starving to death.

After a heated legal dispute between the federal government and the state of Arizona, hunting was once more permitted, to reduce the deer's numbers.  Hunters were able to kill only a small fraction of the starving deer. The range itself was damaged, and its carrying capacity was greatly reduced.

===Prey and predator population dynamics===
[[Image:Hoedad2-Kaibab-Nat-Forest.jpg|thumb|left|X Fire Tree Planting Restoration Project, [[Kaibab National Forest]],<br>April 2012]]
Once ecologists began to study the area and reflect on the changes that had occurred there, they began to use the Kaibab deer as a simple lesson about how the removal of the deer's [[natural predator]]s, which had been done in the interest of preserving the deer population, had allowed the deer to over-reproduce, and quickly overwhelm the plateau's resources. Some ecologists suggested that the situation highlighted the importance of keeping a population in balance with its environment's carrying capacity.

The more meaningful lesson of the Kaibab suggests that human efforts to protect wildlife and preserve wild areas must be balanced with ecological complexity and social priorities that are difficult to predict. Changes take place, sometimes rapidly, but their effects linger for decades. Today, the Arizona Game Commission manages the area, controlling the numbers of deer as well as predators, and issues hunting permits to keep the deer in balance with the range.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-09-02/grand-canyon-corralling-bison|title=Grand Canyon officials to make another run at corralling and reducing bison herd|author=<!--Staff article, no byline-->|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=2019-09-02|access-date=2020-05-17}}</ref>

[[Image:Kaibab Lake Campground.jpg|thumb|right|Kaibab Lake in the Williams Ranger District, [[Kaibab National Forest]], August 2020]]
Although the story of the Kaibab deer rose to fame in the 1920s due to their sudden increase and decrease in population, the story can also be used to demonstrate the way in which scientific studies and ideas about history can help educate current students. The first interpretation of the deer story as demonstrated in textbooks was that predator control had destroyed the deer's population growth. It was thought that initially the high number of deer predators were obtruding the growth of the deer's population, therefore rules were put in place in order to minimize the predator population and allow the deer to increase their population size.  However, as scientific studies continued, ecologist [[Graeme Caughley]] suggested that predator control alone could not have caused the Kaibab irruption, but rather factors like climate, grazing by other animals, and preservation policies actually had more significant impacts on the deer <ref>{{citation|title=A Textbook History: Use of the Kaibab Lesson in Teaching Biology| last=Young|first=Chris}}{{ISBN?}}{{page?|date=July 2024}}</ref>

Caughley's opinion led to confusion by teachers and scientists over what to include and teach in ecology and biology classes, therefore this story stopped being used as an example of prey and predator population dynamics. This is important to the development of scientific studies because it shows that  events—like the Kaibab deer controversy—do not have a definitive start and beginning but include other opinions and approaches which teachers use to showcase the richness of controversy.

In the summers of 2002 and 2003, forest ecologist Dan Binkley and associates undertook a careful analysis of the age structure of aspen stands on the Kaibab.  Their work shows that few aspen sprouted successfully on the plateau in the 1920s.  They ruled out browsing by domestic livestock or exceptionally dry conditions as causes of that change and concluded that the age structure of aspen in the area was probably due to a period of severe overbrowsing by a large population of deer.  This, they write, is consistent with the original assessment of the rapid rise in deer population as a result of persistent predator control.  Their contribution of original research is a refreshing addition to the ongoing discussion of predator-prey interactions on the Kaibab.  [Binkley, Dan, et al., 2006.  "Was Aldo Leopold right about the Kaibab deer herd?"  ''Ecosystems'' 9: 227–241]

The Kaibab deer controversy has revolutionized the way science is taught in textbooks, and the way students question ecology and biology.  In addition, students now learn that human intervention can lead to big repercussions regarding specific animal's population and development in certain regions.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

==See also==
{{Portal||Arizona|Utah|Mountains}}
* [[List of mountain peaks of Arizona]]
* [[Kanab Creek Wilderness]]
* [[Hoedads Reforestation Cooperative]]
* [[Population dynamics]]

==References==
{{Reflist|22em}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Kaibab Plateau}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline}}

{{US isolated}}
{{Protected areas of Arizona}}
{{Mountains of Arizona}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Plateaus of Arizona]]
[[Category:Plateaus of Utah]]
[[Category:Landforms of Coconino County, Arizona]]
[[Category:Landforms of Kane County, Utah]]
[[Category:Regions of Arizona]]
[[Category:Colorado Plateau]]
[[Category:Grand Canyon, North Rim]]
[[Category:Kaibab National Forest]]
[[Category:Grand Canyon]]