Alpine Tundra Map
(blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine)
The Swiss Alps
Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, and France
(mappery.com/Alps-Top-Resort-Town-Map)
(kurtgalbreath.com/research.plants.html)
The alpine tundra can be found at various locations worldwide. It is characterized by its high mountains, short plants, and rigid/rough terrain. The alpine tundra can also occur at plateaus in high elevation. The climate of the alpine tundra consists are cold temperatures (below freezings) and high winds. The plants that thrive in the alpine tundra are mostly perennial grasses and herbs. These plants have all adapted to survive the rough climate of the alpine tundra. For example, some plants have adapted to shield themselves from the wind by growing thick hairlike follicles on their stems. The animals that survive in the alpine tundra have all adapted to the harsh climate as well. Such as mountain goats, chamois, ibex, marmot, and the alpine salamander.
It is speculated that the historical state of the Alpine Tundra was good. However, no one can truly be sure, due to the impact humans have had on it. Historically the Alpine Tundra looked much similar to its current state. The Alpine Tundra consists mostly of deciduous forests. It exists right below the snow line of a mountain, beginning at 8,200-9,186 ft and extends to the highest mountain peaks. The terrain varies from barren rock areas to high vegetation areas.
The human impacts on this biome can be easily seen. Much like many other biomes, pollution is causing negative changes, such as poor air quality. Also, there has been a lot of grazing by animals in the terrain, which has impacted the structure and system of the alpine tundra. The construction and attraction of ski resorts have also greatly impacted the alpine tundra. With tourism being at a high in such locations, more and more people are being drawn to visit or live in this biome. The influx of people has led to an increase in construction, which in essence diminishes the size of the alpine tundra.
The repercussions of these human impacts are negatively altering the natural existence of this biome. Although the consequences are not immensely severe, they are in no way "good".
At the rate now, the alpine tundra looks to have a very bleak, distant future. The continued negative effects of things such as, human caused pollution, construction, and grazing will ultimately ruin the alpine tundra into nonexistence. For instance, continued pollution worldwide is causing a climate change to occur. For the alpine tundra this could mean one of two things for the future: a) colder winters with less precipitation or b) warmer winters with more precipitation, but no snow. As the climate begins to change, the alpine tundra will begin to decrease in size, causing many plant and animal species to be threatened into extinction due to the lack of land sufficient for their survival.
To improve the poor conditions due to human impact, we can limit the usage of off-roading vehicles in the summer in order to lessen the impact on the terrain. More importantly, we need to promote proactive management in regards to the conservation of the alpine tundra. Measures to protect the natural land and its inhabitants need to be put into action. For example, limitations should be placed on the construction of resorts, roads, and other things that disrupt nature. Tourist flow should also be managed, as to not overpopulate the areas of the alpine tundra in order to maintain the land. Also, people should engage in more eco-friendly ways of living, in order to decrease the amount of human made pollution.
(www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/ratio-of-existing-ski-areas-in-the-alps-with-natural-snow-reliability-under-current-conditions-and-warmer-conditions_b089)
The above graph shows that with each degree of warming that is predicted to happen between now and 2050, due to human impact and global warming, will result lessen the conditions of snow. Meaning that, as the temperature rises, there will be less and less adequate snow for skiing. Also, the warming temperatures and faulty snow will cause changes in the nature of the alpine tundra. Animals and plants that have adapted to the cold climate will no longer be able to survive.
Reference:
ww.blueplanetbiomes.org/alpine
www.mappery.com/Alps-Top-Resort-Town-Map
www.kurtgalbreath.com/research.plants.html
www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/ratio-of-existing-ski-areas-in-the-alps-with-natural-snow-reliability-under-current-conditions-and-warmer-conditions_b089
www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/tundra
www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/alpine
www4.uwsp.edu/geo/projects/virtdept/ipvft/tundra
www.fvhslibrary.com/Biomes/future%20of%20the%20tundra
