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Type the summary of Yellowstone National Park that you were prompted to write in the lesson.

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Yellowstone National Park

About the Park

Yellowstone National Park is located in the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Yellowstone was the first national park in the United States and is considered to be one of the first national parks in the world. The park contains several hydrothermal wonders, which are natural vents on the earth's surface that emit heat. Some examples of these vents include hot springs. Lakes, canyons, rivers, and mountain ranges cover more than 3,000 square miles, or five percent of the entire park. Yellowstone's wetlands provide a vital habitat for numerous insects, birds, fish, rare plants, and thermal species such as reptiles and amphibians. Visitors from all over the world flock year-round to the park to experience wildlife, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, rock climbing, and camping. There are several designated areas throughout the 2 million acres of park where people can stay. Visitors who are as hungry as bears can dine at one of the park's many restaurants.

Climate

The climate of Yellowstone is largely influenced by its elevation. Precipitation levels change frequently and can range from little rain to downpours depending on location. The climate of the park has been gradually becoming warmer over the last 50 years. This has led to the of melting of the blanket of snow that covers the mountains, which, in turn, affects water levels, vegetation growth, and the habits of wildlife. Many species depend on deep snow to breed, raise their young, and hunt successfully. The snow provides protection and camouflage for prey and also cover for predators.

Animal Survival

Yellowstone has the largest public herd of American bison in the United States. It wasn't always this way, however. While bison once roamed wild through most of North America in great numbers, an intense hunting campaign in the 1880s led to a dramatic decrease in population. By the late 1880s, only about two dozen bison were left in Yellowstone Park. In 1902, the park's management set about trying to help the bison population bounce back. By 1954, the herd had grown to over 1,000 animals. Park staff have worked hard in order to successfully bring these bison back from the brink of extinction. The bison that now live in the park feed primarily on grasses and plants in the open grasslands and meadows. They typically forage for 9 to 11 hours daily, and as a result, overgrazing is a continuous concern. Consequently, access to water is also very important to the bison herd that roams the park.

Wildlife: What to Do

Once in a blue moon, you may encounter a wild animal in Yellowstone Park. Don't let curiosity kill the cat. Rule number one is to never approach the wildlife in the park. If you happen to encounter an animal on your adventures, there are a few important things to remember. These animals consider the park their home and may have babies nearby. You may seem like an intruder, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans. Other common animals in the park are bears. If you encounter a bear, remain calm, and try to appear nonthreatening. First, do not make direct eye contact with the bear. Next, speak to it in a calm voice so that it knows you are human. Then, leave the grounds calmly and slowly, never turning your back to the bear. Finally, if you have bear spray, remove the safety lock, and keep it on hand in case of an emergency. Ultimately, the safest way to view wildlife is from the inside of a vehicle.

Water and Geysers

Water plays an incredible role in the ecosystems found in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding areas. The water that flows through the park is a vital national resource. Precipitation in the mountains flows through networks of streams and rivers to provide important moisture and habitats to plants and wildlife. The park is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states, including more than 150 species of birds and six species of reptiles, all of whom rely on the fresh water.

Water drives the complex geothermal activity that occurs within the park. It fuels the largest collection of geysers on Earth. Precipitation and groundwater seep down into geothermal systems which is heated by the Yellowstone Volcano. This precipitation is heated and then rises to the surface in the form of hot springs and geysers. The most famous geyser in the park, Old Faithful, was the first to receive a name.