Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Growth Form:
Needle-leaved
Structure:
Genetically fixed (genotypes) mul-
tistemmed, prostrate trees occurring as clonal
populations with dense canopies
Key Traits:
Requires snow protection to min-
imize cuticle damage and desiccation
Distribution:
Midlatitude and boreal moun-
tains
Example:
Pinus pumila
, East Asia
Growth Form:
Broad-leaved
Structure:
Erect to prostrate deciduous
shrubs; tolerant of heavy snow loads
Key Traits:
Shed leaves in seasonally extreme
climates to reduce frost damage
Distribution:
Tropical (evergreen), midlatit-
ude and boreal mountains (deciduous)
Example:
Alnus alnobetula
, Eurasian Moun-
tains
Growth Form:
Giant Rosettes
Structure:
Erect, soft-stemmed plants with
wide pith; age can exceed 300 years
Key Traits:
Night bud development and anti-
freeze compounds
Distribution:
Equatorial but absent in South-
east Asia
Example:
Dendrosenecio adnivalis
, East Africa
Growth Form:
Scleromorphic
Structure:
Shrubs with small, hard leaves or
pubescent (hairy), soft leaves; other species
are leafless with green branches or succulents
(e.g., cacti) that occur up to lower alpine
Key Traits:
Lack structural characteristics for
frost protection; many species adapted for effi-
cient cooling by transpiration
Distribution:
Subtropical and continental
midlatitude mountains
Example:
Spartocytisus supranubius
, Teide
Teberufe
Dwarf Shrubs (Chamaephytes)—Woody Species <0.5m Height
Growth Form:
Erect
Structure:
Woody plants >0.1 m height, form-
ing dense canopies
Key Traits:
Require snow for frost protection
and mycorrhizae to enhance nutrient uptake
Distribution:
Globally distributed in lower
alpine zone, with Ericaceae a prominent family
Example:
Rhododendron ferrugineum
, Alps
and Pyrenees
Growth Form:
Prostrate to Semi-erect
Structure:
Woody plants <0.2 m height, form-
ing dense mats and carpets with creeping
branches; present on exposed sites
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