Alpine Tundra Biome

Alpine Tundra Biome is located on high mountain regions in the world, for instance, the Swiss Alps. As opposed to the Arctic Tundra, the Alpine Tundra are found away from the pole regions. The word ‘Alpine’ is derived from the Alps which are high mountains that are found in Central Europe. The characteristic of the Alpine is similar to polar tundra in that it has no trees, has annual temperatures that are recorded to be very low, and most animals migrate to these regions only during the productive summer periods. However, the alpine tundra has more precipitation and higher annual average temperatures than the polar tundra. The Alpine tundra is important because of the value of its biodiversity – it can be used for setting up undisturbed monitoring stations, can be used for recreational and leisure activities, and in the generation of mineral wealth.

Location

Geographical Distribution:

The Alpine Tundra is located at high altitudes across various latitudes, spanning different ecoregions with montane grasslands and shrublands.
Major sections of this biome can be found in diverse regions such as the Scottish Highlands, the Himalayas, the Alps, the Rift Mountains of Africa, the Tibetan Plateau, the Caucasus Mountains, the American Cordillera in North and South America, and the Pyrenees and Carpathian Mountains in Europe.

Location on the Mountain:

Alpine Tundra is primarily situated on high mountain summits, ridges, and slopes above the timberline.
Treelines, marking the boundary where trees cease to grow, can vary in altitude and are influenced by factors like slope orientation. Warmer regions, especially those facing the equator, may have treelines at higher altitudes.

Latitudes:

The Alpine Tundra spans various latitudes, adapting to different microclimates.
Treeline elevation changes with latitude; it rises approximately 75 meters per 1° from 70° to 50° North, 130 meters per 1° from 50° to 30° North, and around 20° South.
Between 3,500 and 4,000 meters, treelines remain relatively constant.

Factors Influencing Distribution:

The distribution of Alpine Tundra is influenced by high altitude, high latitude, and low temperatures (below 25°F).
The absence of trees in this biome is due to the crucial role played by low temperatures in maintaining its unique characteristics.
Water availability is another critical factor; Alpine regions lack sufficient water for plant growth, and the snow, which remains permanently frozen, doesn’t provide significant water even in the summer.

Climate

Temperature:

The Alpine biome, where the air gets pretty chilly, shares its average annual temperatures with the Polar Regions.
Imagine standing at 12,300 feet in July – it’s a comfy 48°F. But come January and December, it’s a frosty 9°F up there.
Compared to the Arctic, Alpine regions are less extreme in temperature changes, and it all depends on how close you are to the equator.
Alpine areas near the Arctic mimic the temperature variations seen in arctic tundras.
Head closer to the equator, like Mount Kilimanjaro or Ruwenzori Mountain, and you’ll see steady annual temperatures but wild swings during the day – talk about a temperature rollercoaster.

Winds:

Strong winds sweeping through Alpine regions, whisking away warm air near the ground. This leaves the vegetation shivering in the cold.
The wind can be a troublemaker, carrying destructive ice crystals that can harm the budding plants.
It follows the pattern of the surrounding vegetation.

Precipitation:

Alpine regions get a splash of precipitation as air from lowlands or oceans is pushed up mountains by strong winds.
As this air rises, it cools and forms clouds that may decide to shower in the form of rain or snow.
The windward side gets more precipitation, while the sheltered side stays drier.
The higher you climb, the more the precipitation – for instance, Boulder, Colorado, sees an increase from 395 mm at 5,250 feet to 540 mm at 8,460 feet.

Low Air Pressure:

The Alpine biome is a bit like being on a mountain – low air pressure reigns, and there’s less oxygen to go around.
Up above 18,000 feet, the oxygen levels drop by half compared to sea level.
That’s tough for animals like ibex and sheep, but birds and some cold-blooded champs manage just fine even at higher altitudes.

Natural Vegetation

Altitude-Driven Vegetation in the Alpine Biome:

In the Alpine biome, the type of vegetation is determined more by altitude than by latitude.
The vegetation spans from the Timberline at the base to the snow-covered mountain peaks.
The Timberline is not uniform and consists of a mix of hardy dwarf and twisted plants that can withstand the harsh conditions.
In sheltered valleys, trees may grow more robustly compared to barren grounds.

Soil Influence on Vegetation:

In certain areas like the Southern Appalachian Mountains in Montana, vegetation is not solely determined by altitude.
Shallow soils in these regions create grassy “balds” where trees cannot thrive.
Additionally, the cold climate further shapes the type of crops that can grow in these environments.

Varied Vegetation Zones in Kenya:

Kenya, located in East Africa, exhibits distinct vegetation zones at different elevations.
Close to the equator, tropical savannah vegetation and forests thrive.
As altitude increases, the landscape transforms into temperate forests dominated by bamboo.
Beyond the bamboo forests, a shrub zone emerges, and at elevations exceeding 12,000 feet, the Alpine Tundra biome takes over.
Above these regions, permanent snow covers the landscape.

Animal Life

Living in the Alpine tundra can be quite challenging due to the diverse climatic patterns in various regions around the world. However, some resilient animals manage to call this biome home.

Invertebrates:

Despite the harsh conditions, numerous invertebrates thrive in the Alpine tundra.
These cold-blooded creatures adapt to the environment, though their activities are limited in extremely cold temperatures, especially during winter.
They mainly feed on available insects and a few hardy plants.
One interesting example is the springtail, a group of tiny but surprisingly resilient mammals.

Birds:

The Alpine tundra becomes a hub for bird migration during summers, attracting species that seek insects and berries.
Even those birds not accustomed to seafood venture into these mountainous regions in search of food.

Mammals:

Various mammals brave the Alpine tundra in search of sustenance.
Animals like the Mountain goat, Kea, sheep, yak, pika, marmot, chinchilla, and bighorn sheep are known to traverse these challenging terrains.
Their adaptability to the harsh conditions showcases the remarkable diversity of life in the Alpine biome.

Read Also: Dry Alpine Scrub