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Life Zones in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Life zones are groups of plants and animals that live together in a climate that is suitable for them. Because of its variety of altitude, greater Yellowstone has five life zones. These zones include the Alpine zone, the Sub-Alpine Zone, the Hudsonian, the Canadian, and the Transition to the Upper Sonoran zones. Together, they account for the wide range of trees, flowers, birds, and animals in the park.

Within these larger zones, one finds several communities of plants and animals. They are:

Marshland and Aquatic Community

These communities are found in streams, rivers, lakes and marshes, such as Yellowstone Lake, Lamar River and Willow Flats. Vegetation found here includes riparian grasses and plants. Some of the wildlife found here consists of bald eagles, trout, beaver and moose. 

Hydrothermal Community 

The Lower Geyser Basin and other hydrothermal areas host a variety of plants and animals. Vegetation includes algae and a variety of grasses and sedges. Insects and animals that can be found in this area include flies, spiders, killdeer, bison, elk and mule deer. 

Northern Desert Community

The sparsely vegetated northern desert found near Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner, Montana, gets less than 15 inches of precipitation each year. Vegetation is mostly comprised of grasses, big sagebrush and Rocky Mountain juniper. Animals that frequent the area include bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer and pronghorn.

Sagebrush-Grassland Community 

These northern grasslands are found in lower elevations where there is relatively warm, dry weather. The vegetation consists of shrubs, grasses and wild-flowers, while the most predominant animals are pronghorn, elk, bison, bears, wolves, badgers and Uinta ground squirrels.

Mixed Forest Community

The open woodlands are found between 6,000 and 7,600 feet, and are reasonably limited within the park. The can be found between Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower-Roosevelt. Vegetation includes Douglas-fir, quaking aspen and shrubs. Wildlife like the coyote, bear, wolf, elk, mule deer, bobcat and cavity-nesting birds may be found here.

Lodgepole Pine Community 

Between 7,600 and 8,400 feet, these dense forests can be found across a broad area, particularly surrounding the Norris, Canyon Village, Madison and Old Faithful developed areas. This is the most extensive type of plant community found in the park, covering nearly three-fourth of its area.

Lodgepole pine trees often grow in very dense stands, but they are adapted to a shallow soil. Their roots are superficial, so that they are not well anchored, and the forest floor is usually covered with fallen trees. For this reason, the fire hazard in this type of forest is very great during a dry season.

The predominant vegetation is lodgepole pine. Animals and birds such as bear, squirrel, snowshoe hare, porcupine and hairy woodpecker live in this area. 

Spruce-Fir Forest Community

Above 8,400 feet, this community is located on the upper slopes of the Washburn, Gallatin, and Absaroke Ranges, as well as the shores of Yellowstone Lake. The vegetation includes Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine, while some high elevation areas will support forests dominated by whitebark pine as well. Wildlife that may be spotted in these areas includes snowshoe hare, bears, wolves, porcupine and woodpeckers.

Alpine Tundra Community 

The summit of Mount Washburn and other above-timberline areas are home to this treeless plain (10,000 feet). Vegetation includes lichen, sedge, grasses, alpine buttercups and phlox. Wildlife such as the mountain bluebird, yellow-bellied marmot and bighorn sheep may be found here.