Figure 4.1 Wind swept alpine
tundra of Niwot Ridge, Colorado in June
(Photo credit Michael Ritter)
Figure 4.2 Tundra
plants spring up between the rocky fell field surface.
(Photo credit: Michael Ritter)
Stop 4
Alpine Tundra
Once you reach the tundra, you are immediately struck by the barren look to this landscape. As you scan the surrounding terrain you are taken by the undulating nature of the surface, pock marked with polygons of rock, some containing water. Looking up on the slopes of the nearby knolls you notice their surface covered by a veneer of rock fragments. Actually, there is a great deal of diversity of landforms and vegetation, you just have to look closely. Get down on your knees, between the somewhat rocky surface of this treeless area is a beautiful mosaic of alpine tundra plants.
Figure 4.1 Wind swept alpine
tundra of Niwot Ridge, Colorado in June |
Figure 4.2 Tundra
plants spring up between the rocky fell field surface. |
Field Journal EntryTake a brief look around the tundra before heading off to the D1 climate station near the end of Niwot Ridge. While your looking about, describe the relationship you "see" between the distribution of plants and landscape features. Make a sketch of the plant forms that you see in the tundra. Record the environmental data into your field journal.
|
On To Stop 5 D1 Climate Station
Or jump to:
| Table of Contents
| Stop 1 Lodgepole Pine | Stop 2: Subalpine | Stop
3: Ecotone | Stop 4: Tundra |
| Stop 5: D1 | Stop
6: Isabelle Glacier | Stop 7: Pawnee
Cirque | Stop 8: Green Lakes | Wrap - up |
Created by Michael Ritter ( mritter@uwsp.edu ) Last revised July14, 1997