Nature and Science at Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park was designated on October 1,1890, making it the third national park in the Nation. Today, it is considered as one of the most spectacular parks in America. It is a beautiful place for visitors to commune with nature, and a wonderful place for scientists to learn more about the world. As the well-known naturalist John Muir said, "It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter."

Observing nature: animals

Yosemite is famous for its massive granite cliffs, striking waterfalls and giant sequoias, but few people realize that the park is also home to more than 400 species of animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Naturally, insects abound as well and scientists recently discovered two species there that are not found anywhere else in the world.

Observing nature: plant life

The extremes in elevation and variety in the topography of the park leads to an abundance of diverse plant life. As visitors ascend in elevation they feel like they are experiencing a completely different park. Vegetation changes from woodlands to scrub-lands to sub-alpine to alpine and more. Scientists study the variation in individual plant species to understand their future challenges, this helps them to learn the best way to protect the park and the world.

Science in Yosemite

Yosemite is a perfect laboratory for those with an interest in hydrology, geology and glaciology, along with many other sciences. Research is ongoing at the park, with topics as varied as declining animal populations to strategies for removing invasive plants. Yosemite also has its own resource management and science division, which processes hundred of research permits for both staff and visiting scientist, each year.

Yosemite National Park is a beautiful and diverse place. It welcomes all those who would like to study any aspect of nature to visit.