A mountain ecosystem is the set of biotic factors (living organisms) and abiotic factors (climate, soil, water) that develop in a mountain relief. In a mountainous area, the altitude factor is decisive in generating a gradient of environmental conditions, especially temperature.
When climbing high mountains, the temperature drops and this affects the vegetation and fauna that occurs. Thus, there is a height limit beyond which trees are no longer established, which in turn varies with latitude.
On the other hand, mountains are natural obstacles that cause winds to rise and moisture to condense, causing rain. Likewise, the orientation of the slopes affects the incidence of solar radiation.
All these elements influence the range of ecosystems established in the mountains, ranging from forests or jungles to alpine tundra. In high mountains, the sequence of ecosystems is a function of altitude, being similar to those that occur due to latitudinal variation.
In the tropics, on an altitudinal gradient, the most common mountain ecosystems are seasonal forests at the foothills, followed by cloud forests at higher altitudes. Later, there are bushes and cold grasslands beyond the edge of trees, cold deserts, and finally, perpetual snow.
In temperate and cold zones, the altitudinal sequence ranges from mountainous ecosystems to temperate deciduous forest, subalpine coniferous forest, alpine tundra, and perpetual snow.
Below are the features of the Mountain ecosystem
Mountain ecosystem features
The mountain as the physical support of mountain ecosystems determines a series of elements that affect its characteristics and distribution.
altitude and temperature
When climbing a high mountain, the ambient temperature decreases, which is called a vertical thermal gradient. In temperate mountains, the temperature decreases by 1 ° C for every 155 m of altitude and in the tropical zone, with more solar radiation, 1 ° C for every 180 m of altitude.
These differences in the thermal gradient are also influenced by the fact that the atmosphere is thicker in the tropics than in temperate and cold latitudes. This has a decisive impact on the distribution of mountain ecosystems in the altitudinal gradient.
The climatic conditions produced by the altitude determine that the forests occur in the lower and middle levels of the mountain and the scarce vegetation, herbaceous or shrub in the higher parts.
tree boundary
The decrease in temperature and the availability of water determines the altitude limit beyond which trees do not develop on the mountain. So, from there, the ecosystems present will be shrubs or grasslands.
This limit is smaller as the latitude increases, that is, further north or south. In tropical areas, this limit is reached between 3,500 and 4,000 meters above sea level.
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orographic rain
A mountain of a certain height represents a physical obstacle to the circulation of air currents, which when they collide with it, ascend. These surface currents are hot and moisture-laden, especially if they move over ocean masses.
As they collide with mountains and rise, the air cools and moisture condenses into clouds and precipitation.
Tilt orientation effect
In mountain ecosystems, there is a side effect, that is, the role of the orientation of the slope in relation to the sun. In this way, the mountain faces receive solar radiation at different times of the day, which affects the type of vegetation that occurs.
Likewise, there are differences in humidity between two slopes in a mountain range parallel to the sea coast. This is due to the fact that the sea moisture carried by the winds remains on the windward slope (facing the wind).
Meanwhile, the leeward slope (opposite side) receives the winds that have overcome the mountain and lost much of the moisture.
Solar radiation
In high mountains, the atmosphere is less dense, which allows a greater incidence of solar radiation, mainly ultraviolet rays. This radiation causes negative effects on living tissues, so plants and animals require strategies to avoid it.
Many high-mountain plants have small, hard leaves, abundant pubescence, or special pigments.
gravity effect
A typical effect of mountains is the gravity factor, as vegetation must compensate for the gravitational force on steep slopes. Likewise, gravity influences rainwater runoff, infiltration and water availability, which determines the type of vegetation present.
Mountain ecosystem sequence
On a high mountain, there is a variation of ecosystems from the bottom to the top, depending mainly on temperature and humidity. Something similar to what happens between the Earth’s equator and the Earth’s poles, where a latitudinal variation of vegetation is generated.
High mountain temperate and cold
In the mountains of temperate and cold zones, there are temperate deciduous forests in the lower parts, similar to those that occur in temperate latitudes. Higher altitudes are followed by subalpine coniferous forest similar to boreal taiga at subpolar latitudes.
Finally, at higher elevations, alpine tundra similar to arctic tundra and then the perpetual snow zone appear.
high tropical mountain
In the case of tropical mountains, the sequence of mountain ecosystems includes a number of tropical forest types in the lower parts. Later, at higher altitudes, pastures similar to alpine tundra, and finally, the perpetual snow zone.
The Sierra Madre Mexican mountains are a good example of the concordance between the sequence of latitudinal and mountain ecosystems. This is because they are transition regions between the temperate and tropical zones.
In these, there are montane rainforest ecosystems in the lower parts, and then mixed forests of temperate and tropical angiosperms along with conifers. Above are coniferous forests, then alpine tundra, and finally perpetual snow.
Flora
The flora in mountain ecosystems is highly variable, depending on when they develop.
Tropical mountain ecosystems
Deciduous or semi-deciduous forests are found in the foothills of the tropical Andes, in the foothills and lower slopes. Then, as you ascend, humid forests and even cloud forests develop, and at higher altitudes, the paramo or cool grassland.
In these tropical mountains, there are mountainous jungle ecosystems with diverse strata and abundant epiphytes and climbers. Mimosa legumes, species of the genus Ficus , Lauraceae, palm trees, orchids, araceae and bromeliads are abundant.
In tropical montane forests, there are trees over 40 m tall, such as the titmouse ( Albizia carbonaria ) and the boy or spoon ( Gyranthera caribensis ). While on the heaths, there are abundant herbs and compost shrubs, ericaceae and vegetables.
temperate mountain ecosystems
In the mountains of temperate zones, there is a gradation from temperate deciduous forest to coniferous forest and then alpine tundra. Angiosperms with temperate climates such as oak ( Quercus robur ), beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) and birch ( Betula spp.) are presented here.
In addition to conifers such as pine ( Pinus spp.) and larch ( Larix decidua ). While in the alpine tundra there are many roses, grasses, mosses and lichens.
Mountain ecosystems of circumpolar latitudes
Coniferous forests and mixed forests between conifers and angiosperms develop on the lower slopes. While in the high areas, the alpine tundra develops with herbaceous and sparse shrub vegetation.
Wild animals
The fauna also varies with height, mainly due to temperature and the type of vegetation that is established. In the jungles or forests of the lower and middle parts, more diversity tends to occur than in the higher mountain ecosystems.
Tropical mountain ecosystems
In the tropical mountains there is a great biological diversity, with countless species of birds and insects, as well as reptiles and small mammals. Likewise, the felids inhabit, among which the genus Panthera stands out with the jaguar ( Panthera onca ) in America, the leopard ( Panthera pardus ) in Africa and Asia and the tiger ( Panthera tigris ) in Asia.
In the mountain forests of central Africa, there is a species of mountain gorilla ( Gorilla beringei beringei ). On the other hand, the spectacled bear ( Tremarctos ornatus ) lives in the Andean mountains of South America .
Temperate and cold mountain ecosystems
In the mountainous ecosystems of these areas, inhabit the brown bear ( Ursus arctos ), the black bear ( Ursus americanus ) and the wild boar ( Sus scrofa ). Like the fox (V ulpes vulpes ), the wolf ( Canis lupus ) and different species of deer.
Likewise, there are several species of birds, such as the partridge ( Tetrao urogallus ) in the Picos de Europa and the bearded vulture ( Gypaetus barbatus ) in the Pyrenees. The giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ), an iconic conservation species, lives in the mixed forests of northern China.
Examples of mountain ecosystem
The cloud forest of Rancho Grande (Venezuela)
This tropical forest is located in the Cordillera de la Costa, in the north-central region of Venezuela, between 800 and 2,500 meters above sea level. It is characterized by having a dense undergrowth of large grasses and shrubs, in addition to two strata of trees.
The first layer is composed of small trees and palm trees, followed by another layer up to 40 m high. So, these trees are abundant in climbing araceas and bignoniaceae, in addition to epiphytic orchids and bromeliads.
Climate
The name cloud forest is given because the ecosystem is covered in fog almost all year round, due to the condensation of humid air masses. This causes regular precipitation inside the jungle, which varies from 1,800 to 2,200 mm, with high relative humidity and low temperatures (average of 19 ºC).
Wild animals
You can find species such as the jaguar ( Panthera onca ), the white-lipped peccary ( Tayassu pecari ), the Araguato monkey (Allouata seniculum ) and venomous snakes ( Bothrop atrox , B. venezuelensis ).
In the area, it is considered one of the most diverse in the world in terms of birds, with emphasis on the turpial ( Icterus icterus ), the conoto ( Psarocolius decumanus ) and the sorocuá ( Trogon collaris ). This high diversity is due to the presence of a natural pass through which the migrations of birds from North America to South America, known as Paso Portachuelo, pass.
the tropical heath
It is a plant formation in the high tropical Andean mountains of Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela above 3,500 meters above sea level, to the limit of perpetual snow. It is made up of soft, cushioned grass with soft leaves, as well as low, hard-leaved shrubs.
The most characteristic plant family are composites (Asteraceae), with numerous endemic genera, such as Espeletia (frailejones).
Climate
It is a cold climate of high tropical mountains, with low temperatures and night frosts and high solar radiation during the day. Precipitation in the paramo is abundant, but water is not always available because it is frozen in the ground and evapotranspiration rates are high.
Wild animals
Several species of insects, reptiles and birds are presented, with the Andean condor ( Vultur gryphus ) being characteristic. Likewise, it is possible to obtain the bear with spectacles or spectacles ( Tremarctos ornatus ) and the Andean deer matacán ( Mazama bricenii ).
We hope that you have understood the concept of the Mountain ecosystem.
