Höhenbänder

Höhenbänder, also known as altitudinal zones or vegetation belts, are distinct bands of vegetation that occur at different elevations on mountains. These bands are a direct result of changing environmental conditions as altitude increases, primarily temperature and precipitation. As elevation rises, the temperature generally decreases, and precipitation patterns can vary significantly. These factors influence the types of plants that can survive and thrive at specific altitudes.

The lowest altitude band is typically temperate forest, characterized by trees like oaks, maples, and beeches. As one ascends, the temperature drops, and these forests transition into coniferous forests, dominated by pines, spruces, and firs. Higher still, the trees become smaller and more stunted due to harsher conditions, leading to the subalpine zone, which often features dwarf shrubs and resilient alpine meadows.

Above the treeline, the alpine zone begins. Here, trees can no longer survive, and vegetation is limited to low-growing plants such as grasses, sedges, mosses, lichens, and small flowering plants adapted to extreme cold, high winds, and short growing seasons. The highest elevations might be characterized by bare rock, snowfields, and glaciers, with minimal or no plant life. The specific altitude at which each Höhenband occurs varies depending on geographical location, latitude, and local climate conditions. Mountain ranges closer to the equator will generally have higher treelines and different species composition within each band compared to those at higher latitudes.