Abstract: Tundra exists in unglaciated parts of polar regions where it is too cold for the establishment and survival of trees. The primary climate control is summer temperature, but other factors can be important. Tundra is widespread in high latitudes of the Arctic, and is also found in some areas of Antarctica, notably the Antarctic Peninsula and islands surrounding the continent. Treeless alpine vegetation similar to tundra exists even in tropical latitudes provided that mountains are high enough and conditions hence sufficiently cold. The altitude and latitude of polar and alpine treelines is highly variable across the planet, reflecting controls on summer temperature by latitude and continentality, as well as regional and local factors including snow cover, slope and aspect. There is evidence that treelines, tundra and alpine vegetation environments are responding to the warming climate; shrub invasion into Arctic tundra and thawing of Arctic permafrost are notable examples.
Publication Year: 2019
Publication Date: 2019-10-09
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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