ALPECOLE
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Why treelines?

Alps (Europe)

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The maximum altitude of the climatic treeline varies from 1800 m in the northern front ranges to 2300 m in the central ranges ("Massenerhebungseffekt"). The natural treeline elevation does not vary with slope exposure, but forests are more fragmented on northern slopes. In many places pastures have replaced the uppermost forests over the past 500 years. Currently many of these pastures have been abandoned, permitting tree encroachment.

 

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1 - Treeline near Davos, Swiss Alps, 2200 m. Larix decidua and Pinus uncinata in autumn. (a)

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2 - Mont Noble, Swiss Alps, 2300 m (b)

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3 - Pinus cembra (b)

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4 - Mount Patscherkofel, Austrian Alps, 2000 m (c)

 

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29 August 2011
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