Alpine Tundra

Located in mountain tops

Appalachian, Rockies, Sierra Nevadas, Cascades, Coastal Mountain Range mountain tops

Climate:

Low temperatures (not as low as Arctic Tundra)

Low precipitation

Strong Winds

Higher precipitation than the Arctic Tundra

Soil:

High rock content

More erosion, very unstable

Little organic material

Topography:

Lots of snow banks

Steep slopes

Plant Communities:

Shrubs: Heath, Willow, birch

Herbs: Gramminoid, Cotton Grass

Lichens: Reindeer Lichen

Wet Meadow

Dry Meadow

Fell Fields

Adaptations:

Short height

Cushion growth form

Perennial growth form

Assexual reproduction

Dormancy

Animals:

Mountain Sheep

Mountain Goat

Human Impact:

Live stock grazing

High damage (long lasting) from recreational usage

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