Ecosystems
Biomes
Biomes are huge habitats defined by the type of plants that grow there. There are two major biomes in Yosemite National Park, the taiga biome, and the temperate forest biome. The taiga does not have many plants or animals living in this biome during winter, but does during the summer, and can also have many different plants and animals. Usually the average temperature in this biome is below freezing, for six months out of the year. The taiga is located near the mountains of the valley. The temperate forests are sometimes known for their wet environment. After rain forests, temperate forests are the biome with the second most rainfall. Animals in temperate forests adapt to the changing seasons. They are able to cope with the biomes cold winters and hot summers. Some of these animals hibernate or migrate during the winter to avoid the cold weather.
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