ALPINE /MOUNTAINOUS BIOME

By: Brittany Morris, John M., Nate S., Cameron A.

Period: 8Jan. 28, 2010

Basic Information The Rocky Mountains have

unpredictable weather which can change rapidly. As with other highland climates, the climate changes with increasing altitude. In general, the Rockies have mild summers, cold winters and a lot of precipitation.

The Rockies have very different seasons. In the winter there is deep snow, high winds, and sudden blizzards are common. At night it can get to -35û F. In the spring there is unpredictable weather. It could be wet or dry, cold or warm. In the summer there are sunny mornings, afternoon thunderstorms and clear nights. In the fall there are cool, crisp days, wind and decreasing precipitation.

Climate of Rocky Mountains

Average Temperature:

Average High Temperature:

Average Low Temperature:

YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

F 43 27 28 32 40 48 56 62 60 53 45 34 28

YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

F 56.9 38.4 40.6 44.9 53.5 62.4 72.6 78.3 76.5 70 60.1 46.3 39.7

YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

F 29.7 16.3 17.3 20.7 27 34.5 41.1 46.1 44.6 37.7 30.1 28.8 17.6

Climate of Rocky Mountains

Average Precipitation:

Average Snowfall:

YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG OCT NOV DEC

IN 14 0.4 0.5 0.9 0.3 2 1.8 2.2 1.9 0.8 0.6 0.9

YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG OCT NOV DEC

IN 33.9 3.8 6.3 8.6 4 0.5 0.1 0 0 1 3.7 5.5

Areas of the alpine biome

Snowy peaks These peaks are a

playground for riders and skiers. In the winter these peaks average 6-12 feet a year witch are perfect conditions for any powder seeking rider.

Areas of the alpine biome

Alpine terrain The terrain for this biome

is generally steep and rocky. It is harsh terrain for any human to travel. In the winter it is almost impossible to travel this terrain without any modern technology. In this envierment snow melt creates huge gullies and over time creates the vales you see today

Areas of the alpine biome

 Alpine lakes Snowmelt from the

previous winter creates these lakes. The rest of the melt flows into reservoirs. Alpine lakes are home to a fish called the trout they are generally smaller then 12 inches and feed on minerals pushed in by melting snow and summer rain storms. Trout spend there winter life in a dark cold wet existence.

Plants:

There are several plants in the Mountainous/Alpine biome, such as the Alpine Phacelia, Bear Grass, Bristlecone Pine, Moss Campion, Polylepis Forest, Pygmy Bitterroot, and Wild Potato.

-Alpine phacelia - Moss Campion

-Polylepis Forest -

Wild - Bear Grass

Potato -Bristlecone Pine -Pygmy

Bitterroot

Definitions: The Alpine Phacelia: A tubular, bell shaped or bowl-shaped flower. It

can be blue, violet, or white in color. It has a fringed look. Bear Grass: Looks like a grass, but it really is a part of the lily family.

Its about 4.5 feet tall, olive colored, the leaves are tough and wiry. Bristlecone Pine: Oldest known tree species in the world. Lives in only

scattered, arid mountain regions. Moss Campion: Grows in the lower alpine regions. It only grows to be

about 5-15 cm tall. Its mounded shape protects it from the cold and drying winds.

Polylepis Forest: Located in the Andes Mountains. Occur at altitiudes up to 4,500 meters in sheltered areas.

Pygmy Bitterroot: They have long, skinny, fat leaves that are about 4 inches long. It grows to be about 4-6 inches tall, and about 8 inches wide.

Wild Potato: A relative of the cultivated potato. Is found in the Andes mountains. You can find them where it is about 60-70 degrees in the Andes mountains.

ANIMALS OF THE MOUNTAIN BIOME

Mountain Hare- life span of 10 yearsPredator is the Red FoxKnown as the blue hare in summerVery fastIntroduced from SwedenUnder threat from habitat loss

Mountain Goat-

3-4 ft. tall 150-300 Lbs.

Eat grass and other herbs

Also known as the “rocky Mountain Goat”

Mountain Lions- 24”-28” tall and 80-230 Lbs. Hardcore predator Carnivore Males mature and die faster than females Have very few natural predators besides

humans

Rattle Snake-16 different speciesEat small rodents like mice and rabbitsNatural predators are roadrunners, hawks and eaglesCan grow anywhere from 3-4 ft. longTheir rattle is a defense mechanism

Thank you!

Alpine Marmot- Eat mainly grass and herbs Start hibernating in October Closely related to squirrels Grow up to 50cm long and

weigh up 6 kilos Also very cute!