Montane ecosystems

A subalpine lake in the Cascade Range, Washington, United States

Montane ecosystems are found on the slopes of mountains. The alpine climate in these regions strongly affects the ecosystem because temperatures fall as elevation increases, causing the ecosystem to stratify. This stratification is a crucial factor in shaping plant community, biodiversity, metabolic processes and ecosystem dynamics for montane ecosystems.[1] Dense montane forests are common at moderate elevations, due to moderate temperatures and high rainfall. At higher elevations, the climate is harsher, with lower temperatures and higher winds, preventing the growth of trees and causing the plant community to transition to montane grasslands and shrublands or alpine tundra. Due to the unique climate conditions of montane ecosystems, they contain increased numbers of endemic species. Montane ecosystems also exhibit variation in ecosystem services, which include carbon storage and water supply.[2]

  1. ^ Mayor, Jordan R.; Sanders, Nathan J.; Classen, Aimée T.; Bardgett, Richard D.; Clément, Jean-Christophe; Fajardo, Alex; Lavorel, Sandra; Sundqvist, Maja K.; Bahn, Michael; Chisholm, Chelsea; Cieraad, Ellen (February 2017). "Elevation alters ecosystem properties across temperate tree lines globally". Nature. 542 (7639): 91–95. Bibcode:2017Natur.542...91M. doi:10.1038/nature21027. hdl:1874/394068. ISSN 1476-4687. PMID 28117440. S2CID 4455333.
  2. ^ Aparecido, Luiza Maria T.; Teodoro, Gazelle S.; Mosquera, Giovanny; Brum, Mauro; Barros, Fernanda de V.; Pompeu, Patricia Vieira; Rodas, Melissa; Lazo, Patricio; Müller, Caroline S.; Mulligan, Mark; Asbjornsen, Heidi (2018). "Ecohydrological drivers of Neotropical vegetation in montane ecosystems". Ecohydrology. 11 (3): e1932. Bibcode:2018Ecohy..11E1932A. doi:10.1002/eco.1932. ISSN 1936-0592. S2CID 134197371.