Mountains are extraordinarily rich in vascular plant species,
which is due to the threefold environmental heterogeneity (climatic, topographic,
geologic). This fact leads to a small-scale mosaic of different habitats
that can be colonized by a wealth of differently adapted species. This
small-scale mosaic of different habitats is the basis of the occurrence
of identifiable plant communities, which are characterised by a collection
of typical plant species.
A plant community is an assemblage of populations of different plant species coexisting in a particular habitat and interacting with each other as well as with other organisms.
Alpine plant communities are often species-poor due to the
lack of species able to survive in especially harsh environments.
Mountainous regions are, like islands, generally rich in endemic species.
Plant species of the alpine zone are less endangered compared to those occurring in lower regions.
Global climate change represents a new threat whose impact on
alpine plant species cannot yet be assessed today.
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