What Is an Altitudinal Vegetation Zone?
Wednesday October 8, 2008
Vegetation on mountains varies with altitude in response to changes in local environmental conditions. As you move up a mountain, you travel along a mosaic of gradients (climate, soil conditions, moisture, species composition). For example, the higher you venture, the lower the temperature falls. Wind speeds strengthen and precipitation is more abundant as you approach the summit. Where temperatures drop below freezing, rainfall turns to snowfall.
Comments
This a is clear and understandable explanation. These conditions are what cause alot of rescues from unprepared, or inexperienced hikers. A perfect example is what I see on alot of my hikes in The Smoky Mountains. At the foothills or trailhead, you can spot them. The ‘weekend warrior’ type. in sandals, flip flops, shorts no pack, a fanny pack with a Field guide in it, etc. As the elevation changes as pointed out in the progression of geological features above. The heat goes away, the canopy changes, the weather gets more hostile and unpredictable. The terrain steeper and there they are with the Field Guide. Go prepared!! Speak to your local Rangers about conditions that time of year in the region you plan to hike. They are the MOST familiar with them, they walk’em everyday, and they are the ones sent in to clean up the mistakes!!