. Bonner zoologische Monographien. Zoology. 28. : Outer Himalayas, subalpine zone. Moss- and lichen-covered trees in mixed coniferous/Rhododendron forest in the upper Simbua Khola, 3630 m, Taplejung Distr., J. Martens. meadow can extend as high as 5500m, on the S slope of Mt. Everest. An extremely differentiated vegetational mosaic is produced by microclimatic variation, shaded slopes being protected by snow for long periods in winter, while insolation dries out the opposi- te slopes. At the lower alpine level dwarf shrubs dominate; about 40 species have been documented,
. Bonner zoologische Monographien. Zoology. 28. : Outer Himalayas, subalpine zone. Moss- and lichen-covered trees in mixed coniferous/Rhododendron forest in the upper Simbua Khola, 3630 m, Taplejung Distr., J. Martens. meadow can extend as high as 5500m, on the S slope of Mt. Everest. An extremely differentiated vegetational mosaic is produced by microclimatic variation, shaded slopes being protected by snow for long periods in winter, while insolation dries out the opposi- te slopes. At the lower alpine level dwarf shrubs dominate; about 40 species have been documented, chief among them the dwarf Rhododendron species () lepidotum, setosum, anthopo- gon and nivale (the latter forming the highest dwarf-shrub heaths, up to 4800 m), as well as 3 Juniperus species. There is a striking change in growth form with increasing altitude; plants 50 cm high shrink to 5 cm (). The lower alpine level in monsoon regions is above the zone of highest precipitation, but the precipitation is mainly rain and heavy over- cast shields this level from the sun. At the upper alpine level, woody plants are less abundant and cyperacean meadows and cushion-plant communities dominate. The two levels are not strictly demarcated; the boundary rises from 4500 m to 5000 m. In monsoon regions this level is close to the upper condensation level; the clouds are thin, so that insolation produces greater warming. Bird life in the alpine belt is much reduced, for no forest species are present. This belt mainly harbours components of C Asian origin, species otherwise widely distributed in Ti-. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Bonn, Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig
Size: 1342px × 1862px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookcollectionbiodiversity, booksubjectzoology
