Natural Features & Ecosystems

A young woman who recently moved to south Florida finds herself wanting to learn more about the Everglades National Park. She meets Amber Schmitt, a friendly ranger/interpreter, who teaches her about natural habitats.

Yosemite National Park: Summer visitors to Yosemite National Park miss many of the unique events of winter and early spring. Frazil ice flows are dramatic natural events that occur in the waterfalls of Yosemite Valley during March and April.

Yosemite National Park: Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America, and is a powerful presence in Yosemite Valley. From winter ice to spring flood to autumn dryness, this magnificent waterfall is a dynamic force of nature.

Yellowstone National Park: The Yellowstone supervolcano is discussed in this video. The function it serves to geysers throughout the park as well as its potential destructive force are covered.

Yellowstone National Park: Efforts to eradicate three invasive species currently inhabiting Yellowstone are discussed. The species are lake trout, whirling disease parasite, and New Zealand mud snails.

Redwood NP: How is fog created? How does fog benefit redwood trees? Watch this video to find out.

Natural Laboratory: What is the role of fog along the California coast? How is the decline of fog affecting coast redwoods? Answers to these and similar questions are included in this audio file.

Natural Laboratory: Can Liam Reidy find evidence of a huge tsunami that occurred in central California during the early 1700’s? Tune in to find out.

Yosemite National Park: Throughout the winter, the elevation where rain turns to snow changes with each new storm. Join a meteorologist and park scientists as they chase the snow line in Yosemite.

Yosemite National Park: Snow plays an important role in Yosemite's ecology while providing water for cities and farms. Winter visitors to the park experience a landscape transformed by snow.

Yellowstone National Park: In the summer of 2003, the Norris Geyser Basin changed dramatically over the course a few days. This video contains footage of those changes.

Yosemite National Park: The granite monolith of Half Dome is recognized throughout the world as an icon of Yosemite National Park. Thousands of visitors hike to the summit each year, rewarded with spectacular views and an experience that is not easily forgotten.