Light green : the borealie Green : Mountains

Species: Japanese macaque Red-crowned Crane Mountain goat Cougar Bighorn sheep Dall sheep Grizzly bear Turkey vulture

The biome of the mountains is defined by height, and not by some north-south boundary line. In the mountains, the terrestrial biomes lie along an environmental continuum, based on altitude. Where the elevation is great enough, the summit of the mountain will offer climatic conditions and plant life typical of the tundra: this is the Alpine tundra. Generally, hardwood will be found at the foot of the mountains and as you climb up, this gives way to conifers, then bushes and so on until the mountain tops. The summit may be covered with snow or ice, depending on its height. The mountain biomes are very special, since evolution has brought to these “pockets” some unique varieties of plant and animal life3, including the mountain goat and the big horn.

References

1. Borcard, Daniel.  Department of Biological Sciences.  University of Montreal. http://biol10.biol.umontreal.ca/BIO1803/Biomes.html  Consulted on April 16, 2003

2. Following reference: Dajoz, R.  1996.  Précis d'écologie.  6th edition. Dunod.  Paris.

3. Campbell, Neil A.  1995.  Chapter 46 : L’écologie : Distribution et adaptation des organismes.  IN  Biologie.  Éditions du Renouveau Pédagogique Inc. Quebec. Canada.

1. Molles, Manuel C. Jr.  1999.  Chapter 2: Life on land.  IN  Ecology : Concepts and Applications.  McGraw-Hill.  Toronto.  Canada.