Denali National Park - Essay Example

It was renamed as Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980, when under National Interest Land Conservation Act, another 4 million acres were added to it. It exemplifies interior Alaska’s character as one of the world’s last great frontiers, its wilderness is largely unspoiled. (nps). It is an internationally acclaimed biosphere reserve under United Nations Man and the Biosphere Program. Wilderness value is an intrinsic part of this park The region is conspicuous by long cold weather followed by short growing seasons.

The unpredictability of the weather condition, with unexpected snowfall, is another feature that makes it highly interesting biosphere. The climatic conditions of the park are mostly controlled by the Alaskan range. While the Gulf of Alaska brings in moisture and cold winds from the south, the mountain blocks it, resulting in drier and erratic climatic conditions to the northern parts of the park. It is for these reasons, the south of the park has cool and pleasant summer and relatively warm winters as against the widely fluctuating temperature with long cold winters and short summers of the north.

‘Moist foothill tundra comprises cottongrass (Eriophorum sp.) with dwarf shrubs, green alder (Alnus crispa) and dwarf birch (Betula nana). Drier tundra has mats of mountain avens (Dryas spp.), grasses and sedges. Above the alpine tundra, rock, snow and ice dominate’ (UNESCO). The geological aspect of the park is highly significant to study evolution of the species and understanding the complex ecological principles that are responsible for the extreme weather conditions and huge climate change of the modern times.

The park abounds with huge paleontologic resources like fossils of extinct species. The park is part of Morrison Formation Ecosystem which undertakes ecosystem studies. The evidenced of the presence of dinosaurs and other extinct species have made the park extremely popular amongst the students’ community and public.