Ecology of Yosemite
The development of Yosemite’s ecology started around 15,000 years ago when glaciers present at the time started to melt. The glaciers scraped away soil and vegetation, thus leaving a barren landscape of smooth granite behind when the ice melted. Since granite is one of the most erosion-resistant rocks on the planet, it was a very long process for soil to reform. Eventually, enough soil was built up to support trees and forests. Due to fluctuating climate, which, in turn, changes temperature and precipitation, the composition of forests and meadows were altered. This new plant arrival that occurs as a result of changing conditions is known as succession. As a result of the changing composition of forests and nature, the species of plants and animals living there also changes.
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As fluctuation in temperature has occurred, vegetation has grown in many different areas, growing in higher elevations when it is warmer, and lower elevations when it is cooler. Precipitation has also been affected by the changing climate, as there have been major droughts as well as wet years over the past few centuries. As seen, many factors have contributed to the changing ecology of Yosemite. All of these natural occurrences, as well as several human influences that have caused fires, a major spur of ecological succession, has set the path for Yosemite’s current ecological