What's the Biome?

The biome of Yellowstone National Park is the taiga, also known as the boreal forest. A biome is an area that can be classified by the plants and animals that inhabit it. Various factors such as temperature, precipitation, light, and soil determine this. Climate in the taiga is cold, with average annual temperatures from positive 5 degrees Celsius to negative 5 degrees Celsius. In fact, Yellowstone National Park has an annual average temperature of only 1 degree Celsius! Precipitation varies, from about 20cm of precipitation a year to over 200cm. Much of the precipitation, however, is in the form of snow. The winters are cold and long, while summers relatively short and cool. Many plant species are found in Yellowstone, but coniferous trees are primarily dominant throughout the park. These trees shed snow easily and keep their needles through the winter. Important coniferous plants in this ecosystem include pines, spruces, hemlocks, and larches. In addition from conifers, mosses and lichens are present in Yellowstone and are an important part to the diet for various wildlife.

                                                          A map of the Taiga Biome

http://www.fossweb.com/delegate/ssi-foss-ucm/Contribution%20Folders/FOSS/multimedia_ms_1E/PopulationsandEcosystems/ecoregion/taiga/images_sized/taiga.gif

Average, high, and low temperature (in Fahrenheit) of Yellowstone National Park throughout the year compared to the US average temperature throughout the year

http://pics2.city-data.com/w1q/lhaq14800.png

Coniferous trees in Yellowstone's biome 

http://www.parkcamper.com/Yellowstone-National-Park/Yellowstone-National-Park-Canyon-Campground-trees.jpg