Alpine Biome Essay

Alpine Biome: Information Report

By Kent McMahon

1. Introduction

This Information Report will contain detailed information about the Alpine Biome of the European Alps. The Alps are one of the mountainous and coldest biomes in Europe. Despite these harsh conditions, the Alps support a rich biodiversity of 30,000 fauna and flora. Furthermore, detailed information about a specific fauna and flora species that have unique adaptations to survive in the Alpine climate, will also be contained in this information report. This information report will also cover topics about the Alpine characteristics, geographical features, and climate information, plant and animal characteristics, animal reproduction, plant and animal

The average summer temperature range from 15 to 24 degrees Celsius. The average winter temperature vary from -5 to 4 degrees Celsius. The coldest temperature ever recorded is – 20 degrees Celsius. The Alps receive 2,600 to 3,600 ML of precipitation every year. During the winter months, all precipitation received above 1524 M, falls in the form of snow. 3 to 9 M of snow is received by the Alps during winter. During the summer, the Alpine biome can sometimes experience flash flooding from the rapid melting of snow.

The Alpine biome is split into five climatic zones which are characterised by the climatic condition and the biodiversity it supports. They are the Colline Zone, Montane Zone, Subalpine Zone, Alpine Zone and the Glacial Zone.

At the high altitude of the Alpine Biome, there is little Carbon Dioxide, which is an important component for flora species to carry out the process of photosynthesis which produces chemical energy for the flora. Harmful Ultra-Violet Radiation is abundant in the Alpine biome. The abundance of Ultra-Violet radiation poses a threat to fauna species. Flora and fauna species of the Alpine biome have unique adaptation which allows them to not only tolerate these conditions, but thrive in the