Topic 13:

Alpine Tundra & Treeline

The Land Above the Trees

Announcements:

• Assignment to turn in @ beginning of class:

  • Last week's lab: Results (written responses to Qs), 2 figures: i. Elevation Profile with species indicated    ii. Species abundance curves along the elevation gradient

  • MAKE SURE to include which scenario for community structure your group chose, AND your testable hypothesis!

• Lab this week - meet in Admissions Lot at 1:25 to get equipment, then van/carpool to Animas River - Aquatic Ecology!

• 2nd Beast in the Garden discussion on Thursday in class - questions posted on Moodle

• Next animal presentation also Thursday! Tundra habitat (...what animal...?)

• Field Journal mid-term check next week Wednesday (10/23)- turn in your journal with all entries made to date (ideally you will have ~4 of the 8 total entries so far)

Alpine Tundra -  Powerpoint

Relevant Websites: 

http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/tundra5/tundra5.html

http://www.desertmuseum.org/desert/habitats/tundra/tundragallery.html

Questions for the Day:

Ø      What is the environment like in the alpine life zone?

Ø      How do changes in the 4 climatic factors affect vegetation?

o       what adaptations do plants have to these conditions?

Ø      What animals live in the alpine zone?

o       What adaptations do animals have to life in the Alpine?

o       do any live there year round? why or why not?

    White-tailed Ptarmigan - summer & winter plumage

Marmot - Rocky Mtns

Pika or "rock rabbit"

Ø      What factors control treeline, & how do these factors interact?

Ø      what do trees look like at treeline?  (“krummholz”)