Abstract: The alpine forest occurs at the interface (ecotone) between the subalpine forest community below and the alpine tundra above, and represents the highest altitude where tree species are found. This ecotone is viewed most often as a transitional, mixed community separating the subalpine forest and alpine communities. The most common questions concerning the alpine forest involve an understanding of the impact of the specific environmental factors associated with survival at high elevation (e.g., cold temperatures, wind and blowing snow, high sunlight, dry air, and low ambient pressure (and rapid diffusion rates) that change with altitude). This treeline ecotone can vary in altitude and size (width) according to latitude and proximity to maritime influences, as well as the degree of slope and exposure to sunlight and prevailing winds at a given location. Differences in tree size and spacing, clustering among individual trees, plus the structural distortion and disfigurement of individual trees increases with distance away from the timberline toward treeline. The altitudinal migration of this ecotone (e.g., global change effects) in the past and future is of fundamental concern, indicating potentially important changes in annual snow accumulation and water supply to the lower elevation municipalities and agricultural areas.
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 3
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