Alpine Mountains

Geographical Location

Map showing where the Alpine biome is located

Climate Details
The Alpine biome is one of the coldest biomes on Earth. It is freezing cold due to its high altitudes.
During summer, the temperature ranges from 10-12 degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperature can
reach below 0 degrees. The average precipitation is 30 cm a year. Cold, windy and snowy are
adjectives that best describe the Alpine Mountains. What makes the Alpine biome so hard to survive
in is its sudden changes in climate. These changes mean the weather could be extremely cold one
day, but warm the next.

Picture showing the cold mountains within the Alpine biome

By Matt P

9.5

Typical Flora and Fauna

Because the alpine biome is so incredibly extreme, plants and animals have to adapt to the
conditions in order to survive. This separates them from other Flora and Fauna. Smaller plants
survive by growing around trees and plants, while other survive by requiring little CO2, as that is
what enables photosynthesis. They also adapt by migrating, hibernating, and insulating through
layers of fat. Animals have special features in the Alpine biome. These features include shorter limbs,
tails, ears, larger lungs and more haemoglobin and red blood cells. These features reduce heat loss
and combat a low supply of oxygen available at high altitude.

Animals of the alpines

Plants of the alpines

Alpaca
Wild potato
Andean condor
Pygmy bitterroot
Chinchilla
Polylepis forest
Llama
Moss Campion
Mountain Goat
Bristlecone pine
Snow leopard
Bear grass
Vicuna
Alpine Phacelia
Table showing the animals and plants in the Alpine biome

Primary Productivity of the Biome

The Alpine biome has significantly lower productivity than other biomes. This is due to the lack of
sunlight the plants receive, meaning they produce less energy. The plants also have to deal with the
harsh conditions in the Alpine biome. Due to the extreme climate, the plants must adapt in order to
survive. This effects their ability to evolve, and gain productivity. If the plants survive in the Alpine
biome long enough, they will be able to eventually gain productivity.

Small plants on a mountain within the Alpine biome

By Matt P

9.5

Threats to biodiversity and environment

There are various threats in the Alpine biome. These include ski development, airborne pollution,
including acid rain and global warming. Acid rain has sterilized many mountain lakes, which often
have little buffering capacity. Global warming may be the greatest threat, however. In addition to
the loss of snow pack and its vital water, many mountains are refuges for cold-loving species which
used to be found at much lower latitudes during periods of glacial expansion. As the glaciers and the
Earth warms, they may continue to move upwards, but because of the pointy shape of mountains
there is less habitat at the higher altitudes, and once you reach the top of the mountain, there is
nowhere to go.

Diagram of global warming, the biggest threat to the Alpine biome

Human Activity Impact

Unfortunately, human activity has impacted the Alpine Biome negatively. This is due to the constant
ski development humans are doing at the biome. These ski slopes are a significant threat to the
mountains, and with further development continuing, the Alpine biome will continue to be
threatened.

Picture of a ski slope, the biggest human threat to the Alpine biome

By Matt P

9.5

Human measure to reverse negative impacts

Humans can take measures to stop the Alpine biome from being threatened to the extent it already
is. Humans need to for a start stop the development of ski slopes. The development of ski slopes is
threatening the mountains, and without the mountains there is no Alpine biome. Another way they
can reverse negative threats and impacts is by reducing pollution and production of greenhouse
gases. If they can do this, they will slow down the process of global warming, which is arguably the
biggest threat to the Alpine biome.

Stop Global warming poster

Bibliography
Blue Planet Biomes 2000, Alpine Biome, Blue Planet Biomes, accessed 1 November 2014,
<http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine.htm>.
Marietta n.d., The Alpine Biome, Marietta, accessed 5 November 2014,
<http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/alpine.htm>.
Santa Barbara 2004, World Biomes, Santa Barbara, accessed 9 November 2014,
<http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/alpine.html>.
Tripod 2005, Biomes of the World- Alpine Biome, Tripod, accessed 8 November 2014,
<http://rrms-biomes.tripod.com/id11.html>.

By Matt P

9.5