The Alpine Biome
Lilly Smith
Alpine
The word Alpine comes from the latin word 'alpes' , meaning 'high mountain.' Due to the high elevation, the animals of the alpine biome have adjusted to these conditions. Both the animals and people (Such as the Sherpas of the Himalayas) who live in the alpine biome have developed larger lungs and more blood cells. The animals have also developed shorter legs to keep them from loosing too much body heat.
Location
The Alpine Biome has locations all over the world, wherever there is mountains. The Alpine Biome has high elevations. The Rockies and Sierras of North America, the Alps and Pyrenees of Europe, the Andes of South America and the Himalayas of Asia are all a part of the Alpine Biome.
Climate
The Alpine biome is one of the coldest biomes in the world because of it's high altitudes. It is cold and dry throughout the entire year. The summer temperatures range from -12 to 10 degrees celsius and the winter temperatures are well below freezing. The annual precipitation is about 30 cm.
Plants
More Plants
In addition to Alpine Phacelia, Pygmy Bitterroot, and Bristlecone Pine, there are many other plants the grow in the Alpine Biome. Some of them are
- Bear Grass
- Moss Campion
- Polylepis Forest
- Wild Potato
Animals
More Animals
In addition to alpaca's, Chinchilla's, and Mountain Goats, there are many more animals that live in the Alpine biome. Some of them are
- Andean Condor
- Llama
- Snow Leopard
- Vicuna
- Yak