subalpin

Subalpin, or subalpine zone, is the ecological zone at the upper elevations of mountains lying immediately below the alpine zone. It marks the transition from montane forests to alpine tundra and is defined more by climate and vegetation than by a fixed altitude, since latitude, aspect, and exposure influence its position.

Location and climate: The subalpin zone occurs worldwide in mountain ranges from temperate to polar regions. Elevation ranges differ; in temperate latitudes it sits above montane forests and below the treeline, often subject to cold winters, strong winds, and short summers. Snow may persist for much of the year.

Vegetation: In many ranges, subalpine forests are dominated by conifers such as spruce, fir, pine, or cedar. In drier or harsher sites, krummholz and shrublands appear at the upper fringe, giving way to meadows of grasses, sedges, and herbaceous plants near the timberline. The species composition shifts with moisture and soil depth.

Ecology: Plants and animals in the subalpine zone are adapted to cold, wind, and a short growing season. Common fauna includes mountain goats, pikas, marmots, and various birds adapted to high elevations.

Conservation and change: The subalpine zone is sensitive to climate change, with upward shifts of the treeline and loss of alpine meadows as warm-adapted species move uphill. Human activities such as logging, grazing, and tourism can also impact subalpine ecosystems.