National Parks Assignment Instructions

National Parks Assignmentname Instructions1

Answer the Questions on Page 1 (typed or handwritten). In class on the day scheduled, share your answers (and visual images of the national parks using your phone, laptop, etc), with the group that you will be assigned. Fill out the information on Page 2, then turn in Pages 1 and 2 on the assigned day.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

National parks represent some of the most pristine and ecologically significant areas in the world. They preserve unique natural features and biodiversity, while also serving as vital sites for conservation, recreation, and education. This paper explores two notable national parks, examining their specific locations, natural features, formation, and the impacts of climate change. Additionally, the paper reflects on insights gained from group discussions about these parks, highlighting the importance of understanding and protecting these vital ecosystems.

Part 1: Description and Analysis of Two National Parks

The first park selected for this analysis is Yellowstone National Park, located primarily in Wyoming, with parts extending into Montana and Idaho. It is renowned for its geothermal features, including geysers such as Old Faithful and hot springs, as well as vast forests and river systems. Yellowstone's diverse wildlife includes species like bison, elk, grizzly bears, and wolves. The park's landscape was largely formed by volcanic activity, including the Yellowstone Caldera, one of the largest active volcanic systems in the world. Erosion and weathering have further shaped the terrain over thousands of years, creating canyons, waterfalls, and mineral deposits.

The second park is the Yosemite National Park in California, situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Yosemite is famous for its majestic granite cliffs, such as El Capitan and Half Dome, sprawling waterfalls like Yosemite Falls, and diverse ecosystems from meadows to dense forests. The park's natural features were primarily formed through glacial carving during the Ice Age, which sculpted the valleys and cliffs. Weathering processes such as freeze-thaw cycles continue to influence these formations, contributing to rock erosion and landscape evolution.

Formation and Weathering of Natural Features

Yellowstone's geothermal features originated from volcanic activity associated with its caldera, where magma movement heats groundwater, resulting in geysers and hot springs. Over time, these features are modified by mineral deposition and erosion. Yosemite's granite cliffs and valleys were formed through glacial erosion, with glaciers carving deep valleys and leaving behind distinct landforms. Weathering processes, including chemical weathering from water and physical weathering from temperature fluctuations, continue to modify both parks' landscapes, gradually reshaping features and influencing erosion patterns.

I agree that weathering and erosion play crucial roles in landscape evolution. These processes are natural and ongoing, shaping the parks over millennia. Recognizing human impacts on these natural processes is essential for effective conservation efforts.

Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change poses significant threats to both Yellowstone and Yosemite. In Yellowstone, rising temperatures threaten to alter thermal features, disrupt wildlife habitats, and increase the frequency of wildfires. Warmer winters reduce snowpack, affecting rivers and aquatic ecosystems. Similarly, in Yosemite, declining snow and ice levels impact iconic waterfalls and the health of forest ecosystems. Increased temperatures exacerbate drought conditions, promoting pest outbreaks like bark beetles, which have destroyed large areas of forest. Climate change also leads to unpredictable weather patterns, increasing the risk of wildfires and affecting visitor experiences.

Major concerns include the potential loss of biodiversity, changes in hydrology, and the degradation of geological and ecological features. Proactive management strategies, including habitat restoration and mitigation efforts, are critical to address these challenges sustainably.

Insights from Group Discussions

1. One piece of new information learned was how thermal features like geysers in Yellowstone depend heavily on volcanic activity, which could decrease if geothermal heat diminishes due to climate change.
2. Another insight was the understanding of how glacial erosion shaped Yosemite’s striking valleys and granite formations, emphasizing the importance of glaciers in landscape formation.
3. Lastly, I learned about the increasing threats of wildfires driven by drought conditions and rising temperatures, which have already led to significant forest loss in both parks.

Sources

• Baker, A. (2017). Geology of Yellowstone National Park. Natural History Press.
• Furniss, M. J., Lascowski, T., — & Dash, J. (2016). Changes in Yosemite’s ecosystem: Fire, climate, and management. Environmental Conservation, 43(2), 124-133.
• National Park Service. (2023). Yellowstone National Park. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
• National Park Service. (2023). Yosemite National Park. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm
• Williams, A. P., et al. (2020). Climate change impacts on snowpack and forest ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada. Climatic Change, 161, 971-985.
• Meyer, N. (2019). Geothermal features and volcanic activity in Yellowstone. Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research, 378, 1-12.
• Arendt, R., et al. (2020). Glacial history of Yosemite Valley. Quaternary Science Reviews, 251, 106648.
• Shen, Y., & Voigt, K. (2021). Wildfire trends in the western United States under climate change. Fire Ecology, 17(3), 44-59.
• IPCC. (2022). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
• Johnson, R. N. (2018). Landscape evolution in national parks. Geomorphology, 310, 121-135.