What type of ecosystem is yellowstone national park

The following highlights interesting facts about Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park encompasses from 12 to 18 million acres, which equals approximately 18, to 28,square miles. The park itself includes state lands, six national forests, two national parks, three distinct wildlife refuges, private and tribal land holdings and land owned by the Bureau of Land Management.

The park is run by a combination of entities, including state governments, federal government, private individuals and tribal governments.

Yellowstone is home to the one of the largest elk herds in all of North America. They are also home to the largest free-roaming herd of bison in the U. Outside of Alaska, they have one of the few grizzly populations and visitors have even had the rare pleasure of seeing lynx and wolverine.

At that time, the natural state of the park was largely taken for granted. As development throughout the West increased, the 2. The abundance and distribution of these animal species depend on their interactions with each other and on the quality of their habitats, which in turn is the result of thousands of years of volcanic activity, forest fires, changes in climate, and more recent natural and human influences.

Most of the park is above 7, feet 2, m in elevation and underlain by volcanic bedrock. The terrain is covered with snow for much of the year and supports forests dominated by lodgepole pine and interspersed with alpine meadows.

Yellowstone National Park is a Class I airshed. The largest source of particulate matter in Greater Yellowstone is smoke from wildland fire. Sounds have an important ecological function for reproduction and survival. Together they form a soundscape. Many animals migrate seasonally, following the new growth of grasses and other food sources.

Managers from local, state, and federal agencies across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem coordinate efforts around resource issues. How land is used outside the park can disrupt ecological processes within the park. More than 2 million acres of Yellowstone are recommended for federal wilderness designation and managed as such.

The winter use debate spans more than 80 years, with each participant asking: should the park be accessible in winter? There's a lifetime of adventures to be had in the GYE. Hiking , backpacking, hunting , camping , climbing , rafting , kayaking, snowmobiling , skiing , wildlife spotting , and more. This wild land is Big Sky's backyard. Explore it responsibly.

Naturally, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has become a focal point for both tourism and conservation. And when you come for a visit, you are a guest here too. Treat this world with the respect that it deserves. Let's work together to protect one of last great places. Big Sky Stories. Lennon Diverse wildlife, impressive hydrothermal features, thick vegetation, stunning lakes, and geologic wonders are all a part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.