Mountain Biogeography and Altitudinal Zonation

Altitudinal Zonation refers to the distinct changes in vegetation, climate, and species composition that occur along the elevation gradient of a mountain.

As altitude increases, the temperature generally decreases due to the decrease in atmospheric pressure and the reduced ability of the air to hold heat.

An ecotone is a transitional zone between two adjacent ecological communities, where the two communities meet and interact.

The Snow Leopard is a large cat species that is well-adapted to cold, high-altitude environments, with thick fur, large paws, and a long tail for balance.

Migration is the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another, often in response to changes in climate or food availability.

Mangrove Trees are salt-tolerant trees that are adapted to low-altitude, coastal environments, where they can tolerate high levels of salinity and flooding.

The upper limit is the highest elevation at which a particular species can survive, beyond which it cannot tolerate the environmental conditions.

The Andean Condor is a large vulture species that is adapted to high-altitude environments in the Andes Mountains, with a wingspan of up to 10 feet.

Adaptation is the process by which organisms acquire traits that make them better suited to their environment, increasing their chances of survival and reproduction.

The African Elephant is a large herbivore that is adapted to low-altitude, savanna environments, with long trunks and large ears for heat dissipation.

The lower limit is the lowest elevation at which a particular species can survive, below which it cannot tolerate the environmental conditions.

The Himalayan Pit Viper is a venomous snake species that is adapted to high-altitude environments in the Himalayas, with a thick body and a triangular head.

The tolerance range is the range of elevations at which a particular species can survive, bounded by its upper and lower limits.

The Andean Toad is a species of toad that is adapted to high-altitude environments in the Andes Mountains, with a stocky body and a warty skin.

A transition zone is the zone of transition between two altitudinal zones, where the two zones meet and interact.