Yosemite National Park

By Emily Toth

Biome• At higher elevations, fewer wildlife species tend to be found due to the

lower complexity of the forest• Above the tree line, climate becomes harsh with a short growing season• Many rich, diverse habitats:

– Chaparral– Coniferous forests– Alpine rock

Climate• Most of its precipitation in January, February, and March• Elevation greatly affects temperature and precipitation• Summers are warm and dry—occasionally, clouds can build up and

produce thunderstorm activity– Highs in low 90s– Lows in 50s

• In the transition months (spring and fall), sunny days can suddenly turn stormy– Highs from 50s to 70s– Lows in 30s– Rain and snow in early spring/late fall

• Snowy/rainy winters; sunny days are possible– Highs from 30s to 50s– Lows in upper 20s

Wildlife

ANIMALS• Approximately 40 species are

endangered• Consists of more than 400 different

species of vertebrates– Mule deer (the park’s only species of

deer)– Acorn woodpecker– Sierra Nevada red fox– Black bear– Spotted owl– Bats– Marten– Hermit thrush– White-tailed hare– Rubber boa, alligator lizard, and western

fence lizard—reptiles are NOT common

PLANTS• Lower elevations: scrub and chaparral• Higher elevations: alpine meadows

and subalpine forests• Significant part of the park’s

aesthetic appeal and biodiversity– Blue oak– Gray pine– White fir– Giant sequoia trees (the world’s

largest living things)– Western juniper– Assorted wildflowers– Mountain hemlock– Monkeyflower

Why Should We Help to Preserve It?

• Source of recreation– Mountain climbing– Hiking– Exploring– Swimming– Skiing

• Wildlife/Biodiversity– Over 240 species of birds, 80 species of mammals, and 1,400 species of flowers and

trees

• Cultural heritage– Designated a World Heritage site– Seven different Native American tribes; all people in the tribes work in or around the

park

Possible Threats• Loss of natural fire regime• Exotic species• Air pollution• Habitat fragmentation• Climate change• Local problems…

– Availability of human food– Occurrence of road kills

Current Conservation Efforts

• DNC (Delaware North Company) is doing its best to preserve the park through the GreenPath program—we are doing our best to join their cause– Helped to mitigate 30 sites impacted by deteriorating storage tanks– Created a golf course that’s certified as a Audubon Cooperative

Sanctuary– Founded a nationally recognized recycling program

Works Cited• "Yosemite: National Park, California." nps.gov. National Park Service U.S. Department of the

Interior, 12/13/2010. Web. 19 Jan 2011. <http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm>. • Shorter, C.M. "Yosemite National Park." TigerHomes.org. TigerHomes.org, 2006. Web. 19 Jan

2011. <http://www.tigerhomes.org/animal/yosemite-national-park.cfm>. • Mitchell, Jerry M., and Michael Reynolds. "Site Profiles: Yosemite National Park, United

States." Friends of World Heritage. Friends of World Heritage, Dec. 2004. Web. 19 Jan 2011. <http://www.friendsofworldheritage.org/wh-sites/yosemite-national-park.html>.

• "Yosemite National Park-Climate." US-Parks.com. US National Parks and Monuments Travel Guide: US-Parks.com Inc., n.d. Web. 19 Jan 2011. <http://www.us-parks.com/yosemite-national-park/climate.html>.

• "Yosemite Conservation and Protection." Yosemite. DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc., 1/19/2011. Web. 19 Jan 2011. <http://www.yosemitepark.com/protect-yosemite.aspx>.

• "GreenPath: Yosemite Environmental Programs." Yosemite. DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc., 1/19/2011. Web. 19 Jan 2011. <http://www.yosemitepark.com/greenpath.aspx>.