Explore Saarbrcken's sunrise and sunset, moonrise and moonset. The Latin word Alpes could possibly come from the adjective albus[7] ("white"), or could possibly come from the Greek goddess Alphito, whose name is related to alphita, the "white flour"; alphos, a dull white leprosy; and finally the Proto-Indo-European word *albs. [123], After the fall of Napoleon, many alpine countries developed heavy protections to prevent further invasion. Numerous weather stations were placed in the mountains early in the early 20th century, providing continuous data for climatologists. The parameter of this graph is epsilon, it can be set by a . Temperature, humidity, soil composition, and solar radiation are important factors in determining altitudinal zones, which consequently support different vegetation and animal species. [9] Even though rainfall may not be a significant factor for some mountains, atmospheric humidity or aridity can be more important climatic stresses that affect altitudinal zones. [12][13] The term for the mountain peaks varies by nation and language: words such as Horn, Kogel, Kopf, Gipfel, Spitze, Stock, and Berg are used in German-speaking regions; Mont, Pic, Tte, Pointe, Dent, Roche, and Aiguille in French-speaking regions; and Monte, Picco, Corno, Punta, Pizzo, or Cima in Italian-speaking regions. Fragile Alpine Zone The summit of Mount Mansfield reaches 4,395 feet and is one of the few places in Vermont that is home to a unique alpine tundra zone. [4] The characteristic flora and fauna in the mountains tend to strongly depend on elevation, because of the change in climate. The biome, called "Montane grasslands and shrublands", often evolved as virtual islands, separated from other montane regions by warmer, lower elevation regions, and are frequently home to many distinctive and endemic plants which evolved in response to the cool, wet climate and abundant sunlight. Vertebrate animals often span across altitudinal zones according to the seasons and food availability. Pop Quiz: The History of Skiing in Stowe evergreen oak. While the location and manner of his death suggests that tzi was traveling. Wildlife such as ibex live in the higher peaks to elevations of 3,400m (11,155ft), and plants such as edelweiss grow in rocky areas in lower elevations as well as in higher elevations. The Alps were carved up and borders were agreed, so that enclaves in the Alps could be eliminated. "[127] Leonardo da Vinci was fascinated by variations of light in the higher altitudes, and climbed a mountainscholars are uncertain which one; some believe it may have been Monte Rosa. [91], Human interference has nearly exterminated the trees in many areas, and, except for the beech forests of the Austrian Alps, forests of deciduous trees are rarely found after the extreme deforestation between the 17th and 19th centuries. Mount Rainier Ecology | U.S. Geological Survey - USGS.gov In mosson in Valais, Switzerland, dinosaur tracks were found in the 1970s, dating probably from the Triassic Period. The increase in accessibility of mountainous regions allows more people to travel between areas and encourage groups to expand commercial land use. Always travel with adequate clothing, shelter, food, and water, and be prepared to make your own assessment of travel and weather conditions. Mossy forests usually develop on the saddles of mountains, where moisture introduced by settling clouds is more effectively retained. [22][23], The subalpine zone is the biotic zone immediately below the tree line around the world. The exact number of smuggled humans who die a brutal death in the Alps, can only be estimated.[151]. . [85] Although Alpenrose prefers acidic soil, the plants are found throughout the region. [83] This limit usually lies about 1,200m (3,900ft) above the sea on the north side of the Alps, but on the southern slopes it often rises to 1,500m (4,900ft), sometimes even to 1,700m (5,600ft). [129], Charles VII of France ordered his chamberlain to climb Mont Aiguille in 1356. In the later years, the "silver age of alpinism", the focus was on mountain sports and climbing. The probability of occurrence of bioactive compounds was observed to be significantly higher in sub-alpine, cool temperate, and alpine zones as compared to population probability, i.e. Grabherr and others (1994) reported an upward elevation migration of the alpine-nival (uppermost) flora from their 1992 field work in the mountains exceeding 3,000 m of western Austria and eastern Switzerland, compared to 70-90 years before, a change they linked to climatic warming. [5], Above the tree line the ecosystem is called the alpine zone or alpine tundra, dominated by grasses and low-growing shrubs. [27], Animals also exhibit zonation patterns in concert with the vegetational zones described above. [144][145][146], Fall 1932, Adolf Hitler commissioned the first of a series of refurbishments, which eventually turned a mountain cottage, later named Berghof, into a fortified citadel. The cinnabar deposits in Slovenia are a notable source of cinnabar pigments. [15] The range stretches from the Mediterranean Sea north above the Po basin, extending through France from Grenoble, and stretching eastward through mid and southern Switzerland. [84], Above the forestry, there is often a band of short pine trees (Pinus mugo), which is in turn superseded by Alpenrosen, dwarf shrubs, typically Rhododendron ferrugineum (on acid soils) or Rhododendron hirsutum (on alkaline soils). Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme, snowfall, snowpack, glaciation, and river runoff, Almabtrieb, Alpabzug, Alpabfahrt, Dsalpes, December 13, 1916 Marmolada-mountain-avalanche, January 13, 2016 Les-Deux-Alpes avalanche, "Le Mont-Blanc passe de 4.810 mtres 4.808,7 mtres", "Vte, e jsou Alpy i v Maarsku? [125] The peaks, however, were mostly ignored except for a few notable examples, and long left to the exclusive attention of the people of the adjoining valleys. In some areas, the modern practice of building ski runs by mechanical means has destroyed the underlying tundra from which the plant life cannot recover during the non-skiing months, whereas areas that still practice a natural piste type of ski slope building preserve the fragile underlayers. Crystals, such as cinnabar, amethyst, and quartz, are found throughout much of the Alpine region. While Mont Blanc was first climbed in 1786 and the Jungfrau in 1811, most of the Alpine four-thousanders were climbed during the second half of the 19th century, notably Piz Bernina (1850), the Dom (1858), the Grand Combin (1859), the Weisshorn (1861) and the Barre des crins (1864); the ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 marked the end of the golden age of alpinism. [95] Areas of the eastern Alps are still home to brown bears. Though less common, some tropical environments show a slow continuous change in vegetation over the altitudinal gradient and thus do not form distinct vegetation zones.[30]. [6], Decreasing air temperature usually coincides with increasing elevation, which directly influences the length the growing season at different elevations of the mountain. [56] Moraines, piles of rock picked up during the movement of the glacier, accumulate at edges, centre, and the terminus of glaciers. The mountains were formed over tens of millions of years as the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collided. [3] At this latitude more acidic, humose soils exist at higher elevations in the montane or subalpine levels. [170] Most of Europe's highest railways are located there. Repeated footsteps often destroy tundra plants, leaving exposed soil to blow away, and recovery may take hundreds of years. [10] The climate of montane forests is colder than lowland climate at the same latitude, so the montane forests often have species typical of higher-latitude lowland forests. In Switzerland the canton of Bern was named for the bears but the last bear is recorded as having been killed in 1792 above Kleine Scheidegg by three hunters from Grindelwald. [122] In October 1799 the troops commanded by Alexander Suvorov were surrounded in the Alps by much larger French troops. Beginning near the 3,000 foot (900 m) elevation, the hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters of the Mediterranean climate give rise to the lower montane forest zone. The largest city within the Alps is the city of Grenoble in France. [104] By the 6th century BC the La Tne culture was well established in the region,[108] and became known for high quality Celtic art. ", "Ski resorts of the Alps: the development, 'Marmota Maps', The Alps: People and pressures in the mountains, the facts at a glance, Official website of the Alpine Space Programme, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alps&oldid=1171269407, 17th-century French-Italian border avalanche: in the 17th century about 2500 people were killed by an. [73] The height of the Alps is sufficient to divide the weather patterns in Europe into a wet north and dry south because moisture is sucked from the air as it flows over the high peaks. [12], At these higher altitudes, the plants tend to form isolated cushions. values of the adjacent points (note that edge weights in similarity graphs should always be similarities, not distances!). [65][72], The Alps are a classic example of what happens when a temperate area at lower altitude gives way to higher-elevation terrain. The Cistercians built their temple at Lake Constance. [2][3] Altitudinal zonation was first hypothesized by geographer Alexander von Humboldt who noticed that temperature drops with increasing elevation. Old traditions are carefully maintained among inhabitants of Alpine areas, even though this is seldom obvious to the visitor: many people are members of cultural associations where the Alpine folk culture is cultivated. In modern languages the term alp, alm, albe or alpe refers to a grazing pastures in the alpine regions below the glaciers, not the peaks. [78][79] Significant changes, of both natural and anthropogenic origins, have already been diagnosed from observations,[80][81][82] including a 5.6% reduction per decade in snow cover duration over the last 50years, which also highlights climate change adaptation needs due to impacts on the climate and regional socio-economic activities. tundra, a major zone of treeless level or rolling ground found in cold regions, mostly north of the Arctic Circle ( Arctic tundra) or above the timberline on high mountains ( alpine tundra). Alpine biome describes an ecosystem that doesn't contain trees due to its high altitude. [100], Some of the species of moths and insects show evidence of having been indigenous to the area from as long ago as the Alpine orogeny. The subalpine life zone covers roughly 23% of the park spanning elevations from 5,000 to 7,000 feet and categorized into five broad vegetation groups. [11] Both overall levels of precipitation and humidity influence soil moisture as well. The sequence of Tethyan marine sediments and their oceanic basement is sandwiched between rock derived from the African and European plates. Flora of the Sierra Nevada alpine zone - Wikipedia The cause of zonation is complex, due to many possible interactions and overlapping species ranges. [90], The Alps are a habitat for 30,000 species of wildlife, ranging from the tiniest snow fleas to brown bears, many of which have made adaptations to the harsh cold conditions and high altitudes to the point that some only survive in specific micro-climates either directly above or below the snow line. [77], Thirteen thousand species of plants have been identified in the Alpine regions. The treeline separates the montane from the alpine zone and marks the potential for tree growth, irrespective of whether trees are present or not. [50] Typically, the largest earthquakes in the alps have been between magnitude 6 and 7 on the Richter scale. [15] Some of the valleys are quite arid such as the Aosta valley in Italy, the Maurienne in France, the Valais in Switzerland, and northern Tyrol. [171], Some high mountain villages are car-free either because of inaccessibility or by choice. In 2007, the new 34.57km-long (21.48mi) Ltschberg Base Tunnel was opened, which circumvents the 100 years older Ltschberg Tunnel. Today, altitudinal zonation represents a core concept in mountain research. [155], Farming has been a traditional occupation for centuries, although it became less dominant in the 20th century with the advent of tourism. Therefore, montane forests often contain trees with twisted trunks. [28], Population growth is leading to environmental degradation in altitudinal environments through deforestation and overgrazing. [26] The tree line often appears well-defined, but it can be a more gradual transition. [35], Albrecht von Haller's poem Die Alpen, published in 1732 described the mountains as an area of mythical purity. At tree line, tree seedlings may germinate on the lee side of rocks and grow only as high as the rock provides wind protection. [155], Cheesemaking is an ancient tradition in most Alpine countries. Roman road markers can still be found on the Alpine mountain passes. Main page; Contents; Current events; Random article; About Wikipedia; Contact us; Donate The countries with the greatest alpine territory are Austria (28.7% of the total area), Italy (27.2%), France (17,5%), Switzerland (13.2%) and Germany(5,8%). [1] Dense montane forests are common at moderate elevations, due to moderate temperatures and high rainfall. Reduction in cloudiness may already be affecting the Monteverde cloud forest in Costa Rica. The flora of the alpine zone is quite diverse. Alpine Zone Camping: Mountain climbers generally choose to camp on-route on the snow and ice covered areas on the slopes of Mount Rainier itself. Life Zones in Rocky Mountain National Park. Alpine (High Elevation) Life Zones | Biomes of the World Alpine Zone | Encyclopedia.com This effect predicts that zonation of rain forests on lower mountains may mirror the zonation expected on high mountains, but the belts occur at lower elevations. [112], During the Gallic Wars in 58 BC Julius Caesar defeated the Helvetii. [67], Major European rivers flow from the Alps, such as the Rhine, the Rhne, the Inn, and the Po, all of which have headwaters in the Alps and flow into neighbouring countries, finally emptying into the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea. Mid-elevation forests extend from 2,700 feet upward to 4,000 to 6,000 feet (approx. This stratification is a crucial factor in shaping plant community, biodiversity, metabolic processes and ecosystem dynamics for montane ecosystems. It can be done as a thru-hike from west to east (5,425 of total elevation gain with 7,516' of loss), or east to west (7,516' of total elevation gain with 5,425' of loss) or as an out-n-back from either end. Good opportunities to see local people celebrating the traditional culture occur at the many fairs, wine festivals, and firefighting festivals which fill weekends in the countryside from spring to autumn. Tundra | Definition, Climate, Animals, & Facts | Britannica [41], Under extreme compressive stresses and pressure, marine sedimentary rocks were uplifted, forming characteristic recumbent folds, and thrust faults. From Constantine I, Pepin the Short and Charlemagne to Henry IV, Napolon and more recently the German Gebirgsjgers during World War II. Elevations around the world that have cold climates similar to those of the polar regions have been called Alpine. [6][93], The largest mammal to live in the highest altitudes are the alpine ibex, which have been sighted as high as 3,000m (9,800ft). Gentians are named after the Illyrian king Gentius, and 40 species of the early-spring blooming flower grow in the Alps, in a range of 1,500 to 2,400m (4,900 to 7,900ft). "St. Maurice", The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 98 years later followed Gotthard Road Tunnel (16.9km (10.5mi) long) connecting the A2 motorway in Gschenen on the north side with Airolo on the south side, exactly like the railway tunnel. [44] Flysch deposits in the Southern Alps of Lombardy probably occurred in the Cretaceous or later. [152] Farming and forestry continue to be mainstays of Alpine culture, industries that provide for export to the cities and maintain the mountain ecology. Elevation is the determining factor in locating and identifying the variety of plants and animals found in Rocky, and the park can easily be divided into three main zones: the montane ecosystem, at lower elevations; the subalpine, at the midlevels; and the alpine, at the park's highest elevations. However, there is an accumulating body of evidence that competitively dominant plants may seize the preferred locations (warmer sites or deeper soils). David Friedrich Wiser amassed a collection of 8000 crystals that he studied and documented. [11] Humans can disturb montane forests through forestry and agriculture. Walk only on rocks or boardwalks. Until this point, Austria and Switzerland had been the traditional and more popular destinations for winter sports, but by the end of the 20th century and into the early 21st century, France, Italy, and the Tyrol began to see increases in winter visitors. The alpine biome is a high-elevation ecosystem characterized by cold . A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY alpine zone views 2,687,834 updated May 29 2018 [27] Other common plant life-forms include prostrate shrubs; tussock-forming graminoids; and cryptogams, such as bryophytes and lichens. Alpine climate is the typical weather ( climate) for elevations above the tree line, where trees fail to grow due to cold. [109], Between 430 and 400 BC prolonged warfare in the Alps resulted in the devastation of agricultural land and human settlements, ultimately triggering the enslavement of men, women, and children, goods had to be imported as a result. Therefore, the term "the Alps", as a reference to the mountains, is a misnomer. The stress of the movement causes the ice to break and crack loudly, perhaps explaining why the mountains were believed to be home to dragons in the medieval period. Current Local Time in Saarbrcken, Saarland, Germany - timeanddate.com Because of the common characteristics of these zones, the World Wildlife Fund groups a set of related ecoregions into the "montane grassland and shrubland" biome. [25], Crossing the Italian-Austrian border, the Brenner Pass separates the tztal Alps and Zillertal Alps and has been in use as a trading route since the 14th century. [140], In 1816, Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife Mary Shelley visited Geneva and all three were inspired by the scenery in their writings. [52], The Alps are a source of minerals that have been mined for thousands of years. The Almabtrieb, Alpabzug, Alpabfahrt, Dsalpes ("coming down from the alps") is celebrated by decorating the cows with garlands and enormous cowbells while the farmers dress in traditional costumes. Natural layering of ecosystems by elevation, Toggle Land-use planning and human utilization subsection, Life zones of the Great Basin of North America, Life zones of the North Cascades in the Pacific Northwest of America, Life zones of the Sierra Nevada in California, "A climate-based model to predict potential treeline position around the globe", "Adaptive strategies in alpine environments: Beyond ecological particularism", "Conditions Indirectly Affecting Vertical Distribution on Desert Mountains", Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Altitudinal_zonation&oldid=1146067550, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0. [32], The highest pass in the alps is the Col de l'Iseran in Savoy (France) at 2,770m (9,088ft), followed by the Stelvio Pass in northern Italy at 2,756m (9,042ft); the road was built in the 1820s.[25]. Follow these steps to protect the rare, fragile, and endangered vegetation. At these higher elevations, trees become less dense and vegetation becomes a mosaic of herbaceous meadows and clumped tree communities. [19], Tropical montane forests might exhibit high sensitivity to climate change. Pine and juniper are typical trees found in Mediterranean montane forests. Coarse sediments from the continual uplift and erosion were later deposited in foreland areas north of the Alps. [124], Radiocarbon-dated charcoal placed around 50,000 years ago was found in the Drachloch (Dragon's Hole) cave above the village of Vattis in the canton of St. Gallen, proving that the high peaks were visited by prehistoric people.
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