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Mountain and Alpine Tundra. Rob Gregory Kelsey Burgess. Mountain and Alpine Tundra. By: Rob G and Kelsey B. Map of Mountain/Alpine Tundra Biomes. What is the Mountain and Alpine Tundra Biome?. Mountains make up 20% of the earth
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Mountain and Alpine Tundra Rob Gregory Kelsey Burgess Mountain and Alpine Tundra By: Rob G and Kelsey B
What is the Mountain and Alpine Tundra Biome? Mountains make up 20% of the earth They are places where dramatic changes in altitude, climate, soil and vegetation take place over a short distance Alpine tundra is the area above the coniferous tree life but under the snow caps of the mountains (Wikipedia)
Average Temperature and Precip The Mountain/alpine biome is one of the coldest biomes in the world Temperature Range: -18 °C to 10 °C (-2 °F to 50°F) Average Annual Precipitation: 23 cm (9 in.) (Miller) (Alpine)
Limiting Factors Controlling Climate Cold Temperature Lack of Sunlight High Winds Long Winters, Short Summers (Alpine)
Flora (plants) • Alpine Phacelia • Bear Grass • Bristlecone Pine • Moss Campion • Polylepis Forest • Pygmy Bitterroot • Wild Potato • Grasses • Mosses • Dwarf woody shrubs (Alpine)
Why these plants? • Adapted to: • -lack of sunlight and water • -freezing temperatures • -constant high winds • Most of the annual growth occurs in the 6-8 weeks of summer when there is the most sunlight • For a few weeks, the land blazes with color (wildflowers) (Alpine)
Special Adaptations • Grow close to the ground to retain water and survive the winter cold • Some have leathery evergreen leaves coated by waxes that reduce heat loss • Others survive underground (roots, stems, bulbs, tubers) (Alpine)
Fauna (animals) • Alpaca • Andean Condor • Chinchilla • Llama • Mountain Goat • Snow Leopard • Vicuña • Yak • Elk • Sheep • Golden Eagles • Marmots • Ground Squirrels (Alpine)
Why these animals/special adaptations • They have thick coats of fur (Alpaca, Chinchilla, Snow leopard, Vicuña, Yak etc.) • Some have feathers to keep warm (condor) • Some animals have more red blood cells to adapt to the poor oxygen in higher altitudes (Llama) • Hooves adapted to slopes + help flexibility (Goat) • Fur blends in + nasal cavities help breathe (snow leopard) • Yak’s digestive track helps keep them warm (Alpine)
Biomass Pyramid Bio Diversity Index= 2.9 Carnivores such as …Snow leopard, Condor, Golden Eagles Herbivores such as … Alpaca, Llama, goat, sheep All plants …grasses, mosses, shrubs
References • Elisabeth M. Benders-Hyde (2000). Alpine. Retrieved October 18, from Blue Planet Biomes WebSite:http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine.htm • Miller, G. Tyler. Living in the Environment. 12th ed. Belmont: Brooks/Cole, 2001. • www.wikipedia.org