Ecosystem

Yellowstone National Park is vast, but represents just one-sixth of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which includes up to 20 million acres of land. It represents the largest remaining intact northern temperate ecosystem on Earth. the ecosystem supports a significant population of large mammals, including bears, bison, elk, pronghorn sheep, and reintroduced grey wolves. Habitats include alpine tundra, mountain meadows, and sage-steppe grasslands. Throughout the park, species have adapted to frequent forest fires with roots that survive even if their tops are burned away. Part of the challenge of managing Yellowstone's ecosystem is that so much of it lies outside the park boundaries, which are not respected by its wildlife. Conflicts between private property owners and protected wildlife can occur, and activities like tapping into hot springs outside the park could impact Yellowstone's geysers and other geothermal features.