The Rocky Mountains a Look Into This Alpine Biome’s Ecosystems and a Potential Stressor to Them
The Rocky Mountains
A look into the alpine biome’s ecosystems and a potential stressor to them
The Rocky Mountains are located in the biome known as the alpine forest. The Rocky Mountains are a large mountain range that is located in western North America which runs more than 3,000 miles, from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States. Average January temperatures in the Rocky Mountains can range from -20 °F to 43 °F, with the average precipitation being between 10 to 60 inches per year. There are three main levels of vegetation in the Rocky Mountain vicinity, the montane, the subalpine, and the alpine levels. The type of vegetation that is able to grow in each surrounding area is based on the atmospheric conditions in the area, which are influenced by several factors including elevation, precipitation, and air pollution (Clow, & Mast 2003). Studies have shown that air pollution causes higher levels of nitrogen deposition in the Rocky Mountain region, which can be a challenge to the local plant community due to the already prevalent lack of variety in vegetation in this region (Burns, 2004). Based on this information, nitrogen deposition within the Rocky Mountains could be considered a stressor within the alpine biome.
The Rocky Mountains, which are also known as the “Rockies”, form the Continental Divide of North America. The Continental Divide is the line that determines whether water will flow to the Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean. Twenty-five percent of the water supplied to North America comes from this mountain range. The Rocky Mountains are steep and rugged mountains. They were formed from 80 to 55 million years ago. The range’s highest point, Mount Elbert is located in Colorado and sits at 14,440 feet above sea level. The varying altitude of the range influences the climate. Certain areas experience what is called the rain shadow effect. This is when an area that has
A look into the alpine biome’s ecosystems and a potential stressor to them
The Rocky Mountains are located in the biome known as the alpine forest. The Rocky Mountains are a large mountain range that is located in western North America which runs more than 3,000 miles, from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States. Average January temperatures in the Rocky Mountains can range from -20 °F to 43 °F, with the average precipitation being between 10 to 60 inches per year. There are three main levels of vegetation in the Rocky Mountain vicinity, the montane, the subalpine, and the alpine levels. The type of vegetation that is able to grow in each surrounding area is based on the atmospheric conditions in the area, which are influenced by several factors including elevation, precipitation, and air pollution (Clow, & Mast 2003). Studies have shown that air pollution causes higher levels of nitrogen deposition in the Rocky Mountain region, which can be a challenge to the local plant community due to the already prevalent lack of variety in vegetation in this region (Burns, 2004). Based on this information, nitrogen deposition within the Rocky Mountains could be considered a stressor within the alpine biome.
The Rocky Mountains, which are also known as the “Rockies”, form the Continental Divide of North America. The Continental Divide is the line that determines whether water will flow to the Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean. Twenty-five percent of the water supplied to North America comes from this mountain range. The Rocky Mountains are steep and rugged mountains. They were formed from 80 to 55 million years ago. The range’s highest point, Mount Elbert is located in Colorado and sits at 14,440 feet above sea level. The varying altitude of the range influences the climate. Certain areas experience what is called the rain shadow effect. This is when an area that has