Terrestrial Ecosystem

1. Diana Grace D.
MS Environmental Studies
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – NLUC
Subject: Terrestrial Ecosystems
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Template from: http://www.free-powerpoint-templates-design.com

2. jagged peaks, vast tundra, lush forests, raging rivers, wild valleys,
spewing geysers, abundant wildlife, and stunning natural landscapes
FIRE AND ICE
Sources:
https://www.cyclegreateryellowstone.com/ecosystem/
https://www.visitbigsky.com/blog/what-is-the-greater-yellowstone-ecosystem/

3. Quick Facts
Found in North America with an area of 12-22 million acres or
89,030,841,292 sqm, established in 1872
Encompasses three (3) state lands: WYOMING, MONTANA, and IDAHO
Two (2) National Parks: YELLOWSTONE and GRAND TETON
Managed by state, federal, and tribal government, and private individuals
Space and Ownership
01
The Yellowstone National Park is the core of GYE. (2.2mi acres)
Most of the park is above 7,500 feet (2,286m) in elevation and underlain by
volcanic bedrock.
Heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE)
02
The land formation of Yellowstone plateau was believed to be a
result of uplift due to hotspot volcanism and glaciation. Some part of
the park were carved by glaciers.
Volcanism and Glacial Activity
03
Management Challenges
04
References:
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/ And Yellowstone Resources and Issues Handbook

4. Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
is one of the last remaining large, nearly intact
ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of the
Earth
0
It is located within the
northern Rocky Mountains, in
areas of northwestern Wyoming,
southwestern Montana, and
eastern Idaho
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Yellowstone_Ecosystem
A CLOSER LOOK…

5. T H R E E S T A T E S
MONTANA
DMS LAT: 46° 57' 54.9360'' N
DMS LONG: 109° 32' 1.2876'' W
WYOMING
IDAHO
DMS LAT. 44° 4' 5.5308'' N
DMS LONG: 114° 44' 31.3548'' W
Major Biomes:
Forest, Wetland, Desert,
Grassland
References: https://www.latlong.net/place/wyoming-usa-1940.html
https://www.latlong.net/place/montana-usa-6301.html
https://www.latlong.net/search.php?keyword=idaho
Major Biomes:
Forest, Grassland,
Alpine (Rocky Mountains)
DMS LAT. 43° 4' 33.4920'' N
DMS LONG: 109° 32' 1.2876'' W
Major Biomes:
Desert, Shrublands

6. BIOMES
YELLOWSTONE
Photo Reference: wegefoundation.com
GRAND TETON

7. Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/
 Classified as part of the biome: TAIGA or also called CONIFEROUS FOREST OR
BOREAL FOREST
 Because of its size and location, it can share part of other biomes such as Northern Temperate
Coniferous Forest and Grassland prairies
The Taiga biome is located at what we might
call the top of the world, just below the Tundra
 Winters are long (6 month) and dominated by very cold
weather with lots of snow throughout the winter;
temperatures range from -65° to 30° Fahrenheit.
 Summers are warm with humidity and rain.
 The Taiga biome doesn't really experience the seasons of
autumn and spring because they are so short-lived.
 The majority of plants are coniferous (evergreen) trees,
although there are some lichens and moss. Deciduous
trees can be found in some pockets of Taiga biomes.
Temperate coniferous forests are found
predominantly in areas with warm summers and
cool winters, and vary in their kinds of plant life. In
some, needle leaf trees dominate, while others are
home primarily to broadleaf evergreen trees or a
mix of both tree types
Temperate grasslands lack the scattered
trees that are characteristic of savannas.
Temperate grasslands have distinct hot
and cold seasons and a moderate amount
of precipitation in the late spring and
early summer

8. Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/
Wind: Where Yellowstone is for the most part directly in the centre of the Rocky Mountains, it enjoys
more rainfall and wetter, cooler western winds. However some of Yellowstone lies on the eastern
downhill slope of the Rockies, where it experiences a 'phenomenon' called the Chinook winds.
Light (insolation): Yellowstone experiences insolation levels ranging from 1.33 to 6.24 kWh/m^2/day
(kilowatt-hours per square meter per day) on average per month. Solar radiation is lowest during the
winter months of October, November, December January and February, and reach their peak in June
and July, the strongest summer months.
ATMOSPHERINC FEATURES:

9. Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/
ATMOSPHERINC FEATURES:
Humidity: Yellowstone has a low relative humidity. Where there is low elevation, the temperatures
usually increase, which increases evaporation levels. However, particularly in summer, but also in the
winter months, when it is colder, evaporation levels decrease and humidity can rise to 40-45%
Precipitation: Precipitation is relatively low-moderate in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with an
average annual rainfall of 15.4 inches and an annual snowfall of 72.1 inches. Rainfall in Yellowstone
varies in the forms of rain, snow and dew. Rain tends to fall at higher rates in the Spring and Summer,
where as in winter, water is distributed via snow.
Temperature: Due to Yellowstone's varied altitude levels from between 1,610 and 3,642 meters,
temperature and weather conditions vary. For example, the lower altitude regions and grasslands
can climb to even 30 degrees celsius in the summer, but remain at maximum 25 degrees further
up the mountains, whereas temperatures can fall to below -20 degrees celsius in the higher winter
season.

10. Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/
Photo from: http://www.uvm.edu/~dross/
SOIL FEATURES:
Nutrients: Yellowstone, characteristic of a taiga biome, has typically nutrient-poor soil. Due
to decomposers taking longer to decompose the needles on the forest floor, nutrients is
often restored more efficiently with natural fires.
Fire: Fires are an extremely significant factor for the forest, especially in Yellowstone. It
rejuvenate forests on a grand scale.
Composition: Soil in the taiga biome is called
spodosol. Spodosol soil is described as typically having layers of
organic topsoil with a leached grey subsoil and an iron-rich
clay/loam layer below.
Temperature: On average annually, between 6 and 8 degrees
celsius, and less than 8 degrees in the summer.

11. Yellowstone National Park
Video Ref.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgt2C97ztq8
HYDROTHERMAL FEATURES:

12. D
E
T
R
I
T
I
V
O
R
E
S
Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/
Detritivores are heterotrophs
that break down and digest
dead matter to obtain their
nutrients. They can include
invertebrates, vertebrates,
fungi and plants.

13. Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/
D
E
C
O
M
P
O
S
E
R
S
Decomposers are
heterotrophs that
breakdown dead or
decaying matter but
differ from detritivores
in that they do not
internally digest the
matter but rather use
chemical reactions.
psilocybe merdaria
pilobolus
giant western puff ball

14. The Engelmann spruce is
often found along creeks
or wet areas and has
sharp, square needles
that grow singly. It's
cones hang down and
remain intact, with no
bract between
scales. The trees can
grow to up to 100ft tall.
Engelmann Spruce
(Picea engelmannii):
It has very thin
bark, which accounts for
its susceptibility to being
killed in fires. Its needles
are in groups of two, and
the tree can grow to 75ft
tall.
Lodgepole Pine (Pinus
contorta):
The Rocky Mountain
Juniper is a species of
Juniper that varies in size
from a small tree to a
shrub, and grows in
lower elevations. It has
scale-like needles and it's
cones are small and
fleshy. Grows up to 30ft
tall.
Rocky Mountain
Juniper (Juniperus
scopulorum):
It has needles that grow
in groups of five, reduces
erosion, retains snow,
acts as a nurse plant for
other species, and grows
seeds particularly
important for the diets of
grizzly bears. It grows to
up to 75ft tall.
Whitebark Pine
The Douglas-Fir has thick
grey/brown bark which prevents
damage from low-intensity fires
and has cones that hang down
and remain intact, with three-
pronged bract between scales. It
grows to up to 100 feet tall
Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga
menziesii)
PLANTS
Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/
Photo Ref.: www.for.gov.bc.ca
http://schumachersnursery.com/nurserystock/juniper-rocky-mountain/

15. Bark/pine beetles are
serious pests in
Yellowstone and
surrounding evergreen
areas.
Bark Beetles
Caterpillars take up to
two years to develop at
higher elevations and
less time lower. Their
habitat includes open,
moist conifer forests;
moist meadows and
streamsides.
Yellowstone
Checkerspot Butterfly
(Euphydryas gillettii)
Budworms are serious
parasites to conifers and
have caused
much devastation to
Douglas Fir populations
in Yellowstone as well as
other conifer species.
Spruce Budworm
Millions of army cutworm
moths migrate to high,
cool alpine areas and
take up residence on
talus slopes. Grizzly
bears feast on the moths
in the later weeks of
summer.
Army Cutworm Moths
(Euxoa auxiliaris)
Ladybird beetles often
congregate in the alpine areas
during summer and become
snacks for grizzly bears who
know their routine all too well.
Ladybird Beetles
INSECTS
Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/

16. It is preyed upon by
various animals such as
lynx, bobcats, coyotes,
foxes, hawks, owls and
weasels. Their niche are
coniferous forests with
dense under-stories of
shrubs, only leaving the
forest cover to feed in
forest openings.
Snowshoe Hare (Lepus
americanus)
. It prefers shrub
communities and forest
openings. While it eats
primarily plant material
including seeds and fruit,
conifer seeds and some
insects, it is preyed on by
grizzly bears, various
hawks, and probably
foxes and coyotes.
Least Chipmunk
(Tamius minimus)
Elk comprise 90% of all
wolf kills and are
extremely important in
providing food for grizzly
bears, mountain lions
and at least a dozen
other scavenger animals.
Elk feed on grasses,
sedges, other herbs and
shrubs, the bark of aspen
trees, conifer needles,
burned bark and aquatic
plants.
Yellowstone Elk
Bighorn sheep have two
layers of upper skull as
an adaptation for
smashing their heads
together when fighting,
and both males and
females have horns.
Rocky Mountain
Bighorn Sheep
In summer they can be found on
the grasslands and in winter in
hydrothermal areas. Bison feed
primarily on grasses and shrubs.
They have large, strong necks
and heads which enable them to
rummage through and push away
snow when feeding, unlike other
ungulates which use their feet.
Yellowstone Bison
ANIMALS
Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/

17. Grizzlies primarily feed
upon rodents, cutthroat
trout, insects, elk calves,
large mammals, roots,
pine nuts and grasses.
They are considered
super hibernators.
Grizzly Bears
Wolves in Yellowstone
are significant predators
and are detrimental to
the community balance.
They prey primarily upon
hoofed mammals, with
elk making up 90% of
their kills.
Wolves
The wolverine is a
medium sized predator of
the weasel family. The
are found in high
elevations of boreal
forest and alpine tundra.
There are only around
half a dozen wolverines
on record within
Yellowstone
Wolverine
The mountain lion is one
of the largest big cats in
North America. They
primarily hunt elk and
mule deer but also prey
on small mammals.
Mountain Lions
(cougars)
The Lynx, its population
scattered and few in the Greater
Yellowstone Ecosystem, is as of
2000, on the threatened species
list. The lynx has grey-brown fur
with tufted ears, a short tail and
longer hind-legs than front.
Lynx
ANIMALS, cont...
Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/

18. Grand Teton is located in Wyoming. The Grand Teton
Mountains, are actually glaciers.
There are marshes, wetlands, and swamps all over
Grand Teton National Park.
The mountain streams at Grand Teton National Park
create this habitat and living space for the animals that
live in it.
Grand Teton National Park
Ref.: http://666942859131618720.weebly.com/biomes.html, https://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm
Other Biomes:
CONIFEROUS FOREST
WETLANDS
While the Teton Range dominates the landscape, it is the interplay of mountains,
faults, glaciers, forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and geologic features that create
the overal grandeur of Grand Teton National Park. Taken individually, each feature
is fascinating and worthy of protection, but when combined as they are in Grand
Teton, they create a mosaic that is inspiring beyond compare.

19. Often mistaken for its
cousin the sunflower.
Deer and elk feed on the
plant's tender shoots.
Arrowleaf balsam root
Known as a cushion
plant for the way it grows
in soft mats high in the
alpine zone. Its tiny,
bright-blue blossoms
earned its distinction as
the official flower of
Grand Teton National
Park
Alpine forget-me-not
Have pretty blue flowers
atop an 18-inch-high
stalk. Its edible roots
were once gathered for
food by Americans
Indians in the area. Blue
camas blooms in June
throughout the wetlands
east of Jackson Lake.
Blue camas
Pokes its little pink
blossoms out of some of
the toughest growing
conditions in the park,
high on the rocky
mountainsides.
Longleaf Phlox
A gray-green shrub, covers the
valley floor of Jackson Hole. It
may grow as much as five feet
tall and its trunk can reach three
inches in diameter.
Big sagebrush
PLANTS
Grand Teton National Park

20. A typical adult male
moose weighs 1,000
pounds and is most
easily recognizable by a
pendulous muzzle and
fleshy dewlap that hangs
beneath its neck like a
bell
Moose
Looking like lanky
shepherd dogs with
grizzled, gray-brown
coats, coyotes make
their homes in burrows
and caves. Coyote pups
are considered a delicacy
by great horned owls,
eagles, mountain lions,
and bears.
Cayote
Bald eagles are most
recognizable by a striking
white head, tail feathers,
and wingspans up to 7
feet.
Bal Eagle
The golden eagle goes
after small mammals,
such as jack rabbits and
prairie dogs. They hunt in
open country; sometimes
you’ll find one feeding on
roadkill.
Golden Eagle
Their most distinguishing
characteristics are their huge
ears and a black tip on their tail
that contrasts with their white
rump. When they run, they
bounce, with all four legs in the
air.
Mule Deer
ANIMALS
Grand Teton National Park

21. Aspen Trees Big Sage Bearded Wheatgrass Tufted Hairgrass Gray Willow Bluegrass Pond Algae
Beaver Elk Bison Deer Mouse Snowshoe Hare Mayfly
Harlequin Duck
Cutthroat Trout
CAYOTE
BALD EAGLE
RED FOX
GRIZZLY BEARS
GOLD EAGLE
GRAY WOLF

22. Average winter highs are –6 to -1C; average lows are (-17 to -13C). *YELLOWSTONE
RESOURCE HAND BOOK
ADAPTATIONS
BEHAVIORAL
Example:
DEER MICE huddle together to stay warm
DEER, ELK, and BISON sometimes follow each other through deep snow to save energy
ASPEN and COTTONWOODS contain chlorophyll in their bark, enabling them to photosynthesize before
they produce leaves
MORPHOLOGICAL
AND PHYSICAL
Example:
SNOWSHOE HARES, WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBITS, LONG AND SHORT-TAILED WEASEL turn white
for winter
LYNX grow additional fur between their toes to give them effectively larger feet.
BIOCHEMICAL AND
PHYSIOLOGICAL
Example:
CHIKADEES drops their body temperature at night from 42C to 31C, which
lessens the sharp gradient between temperature of their bodies and external
temperature.
CHORUS FROGS tolerate freezing and go into a heart-stopped dormancy
for winter in leaf litter or under woody debris

23. LOSS OF
HABITAT
If the temperature
continues to
increase,
WOLVERINE,
LYNX, AND PIKAS
may lose habitat
in the Yellowstone
TREES
Rise in
temperature
allows MOUNTAIN
PINE BEETLES
and BLISTERS
to thrive and in
doing so
DESTROY THE
TREE’S
POPULATION
(Specially the
Whitebark Pine
Tree)
GRIZZLY
BEARS
With the
Whitebark pine
seriously
reducing in
numbers, being
added to the
endangered
species list,
grizzlies are
forced to move
down the
mountain, where
they have more
encounters with
humans and are
killed.
Impact of Climate Change
Effects are evident in Yellowstone
and has become measurable.
Warmer temperatures are
accelerating the melting of
mountain glaciers, reducing
snowpack, and changing the
timing, temperature, and amount
of streamflow.
Wildfire seasons may expand and
increased in severity, frequency,
and size.
Source: Yellowstone Resources and
Issues Handbook, 2017
Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/

24. Yellowstone National Park
https://bckbiologysfifield.weebly.com/
The Greater Yellowstone Management is dedicated to reduce their carbon footprint through
energy efficient practices and integrating climate-friendly practices into administration, planning,
and workforce culture.
MITIGATION Source: Yellowstone Resources and Issues Handbook, 2017
THE GREEN PARKS PLAN
Defines a collective vison and strategic plan for sustainable operations
 Continually improve Environmental Performance
 Be Climate Friendly and Climate Ready
 Be Energy Smart
 Be Water Wise
 Green the rides
 Buy Green and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
 Preserve Outdoor Values
 Adopt Best Practices
 Foster Sustainability beyond boundaries

25. Yellowstone National Park
Video Ref.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-HrtW8FsC4
GREENING OF CONCESSIONS

26. Local, State, and Federal Agencies across the GYE
make efforts to coordinate the management of
Public Land and Cross-Boundary Issues.
BEYOND BOUNDARIES
Should the bison roam free?
BUFFALO CONFLICT
ENGAGEMENTS Source: Yellowstone Resources and Issues Handbook, 2017 and NPS
Series of Trophic Cascade
Grazing and Migration
WOLF REINTRODUCTION
Picture shows: 1st Golden Eagle died due
to lead poisoning likely after consuming
bullet fragments while scavenging the
remains of an animal killed by a hunter.
GOLDEN EAGLE (April 16, 2019)

27. WOLF
REINTRODUCTION
Video Ref.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSzQ9w5TCqc