Mountain Vegetation - Mountain Geography: Physical and Human Dimensions - page 371

FIGURE 7.12 Silhouettes of alpine plants illustrating the relative size of their root systems relative to
the above-ground shoot areas. (From Daubenmire 1941.)
REPRODUCTION
The survival of any species ultimately depends on its ability to reproduce successfully.
This becomes especially critical in harsh alpine environments, where growing condi-
tions can be unfavorable for several years. Flowering and fruiting among alpine plants
are often impaired, resulting in few or no viable seeds and poor conditions for germin-
ation. While this could result in highly variable vegetation patterns from year to year,
this is rarely the case, because alpine plants are mostly perennials and often reproduce
vegetatively or form extensive clonal populations.