Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Alpine

  • Chapter
Physiological Ecology of North American Plant Communities

Abstract

Alpine regions hold a special fascination for biologists because of their stressful environments, their similarity with the Arctic, their aesthetic setting, and their island-like isolation. Because alpine habitats extend over a great range of latitude, from the highlands and volcanoes of Central America and Mexico to the northern mountains of the Yukon Territory and Alaska, their environments are very diverse. Consequently, there is a greater range in photoperiod, length of the growing season, total and net radiation, diurnal temperature, and precipitation than in the Arctic. The diversity of geologic substrates, presence of permafrost in only the northern mountains, soil drainage patterns, and size of these lands above the climatic limit of tree growth often add to the diversity in patterning of physiologically adapted ecotypes and the general patterning of species and plant communities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Amen, R.D. (1965) Seed dormancy in the alpine rush, Luzula spicata L. Ecology, 45, 361– 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amen, R.D. (1966) The extent and role of seed dormancy in alpine plants. Quarterly Review Biology, 41, 271–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amen, R.D. (1968) A model of seed dormancy. Botanical Review, 34, 1–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amen, R.D. and Bonde, E.K. (1964) Dormancy and germination in alpine Carex from the Colorado Front Range. Ecology, 45, 881–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bamberg, S.A. and Major, J. (1968) Ecology of the vegetation and soils associated with calcareous parent materials in three alpine regions of Montana. Ecological Monographs, 38, 127–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, K.L. (1974) Autumn, winter, and spring phenology of some Colorado Plants. American Midland Naturalist, 91,460–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, K.L. and Amen, R.D. (1970) Seed dormancy in Luzula spicata and L. parviflora. Ecology, 51, 492– 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, K.L. and Bliss, L.C. (1973) Alpine disturbance studies: Olympic National Park, U.S.A. Biological Conservation, 5, 28– 35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, K.L. and Bliss, L.C. (1979) Autecology of Kobresia bellardii: Why winter snow accumulation limits local distribution. Ecological Monographs, 49, 3 77–402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, K.L. and Johnson, R.E. (1980) Alpine flora of the Wassuk Range, Mineral County, Nevada. Madroño, 27, 25– 35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, W.D. (1974a) Arctic and alpine vegetation: plant adaptations to cold summer climates, in Arctic And Alpine Environments (eds J.D. Ives and R.G. Barry) Methuen, London, pp. 403–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, W. D. (19 74b) Adaptations and origins of alpine plants. Arctic Alpine Research, 6, 129–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, W.D. (1978) Alpine phytogeography across the Great Basin, in Intermountain Biogeography: A Symposium. Great Basin Naturalist MemoirsNo. 2. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, pp. 105– 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, W.D. and Bliss, L.C. (1959) An alpine snowbank environment and its effects on vegetation, plant development and productivity. Ecology, 40, 389–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, W.D., and Godfrey, P.J. (1967) Photosynthetic utilization of internal carbon dioxide by hollow-stemmed plants. Science, 158, 121–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, W.D. and Mooney, H. A. (1959) An apparent frost hummock-sorted polygon cycle in the alpine tundra of Wyoming. Ecology, 40, 16–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings W.D. and Mooney, H.A. (1968) The ecology of arctic and alpine plants. Biological Review 43, 481–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, W.D., Clebsch, E.E.C. and Mooney, H.A. (1961) Effect of low concentrations of carbon dioxide on photosynthesis rates of two races of Oxyria. Science, 133, 1834.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings, W.D., Godfrey, P.J., Chabot, B.F. and Bourque, D.P. (1971) Metabolic acclimation to temperature in arctic and alpine ecotypes of Oxyria digyna. Arctic Alpine Research, 3, 277–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, R.A. and Bliss, L. C. (1980) Reproductive ecology of Picea mariana(Mill.) BSP., at tree line near Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. Ecological Monographs, 50, 331– 54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss L.C. (1956) A comparison of plant development in microenvironments of arctic and alpine tundras. Ecological Monographs 26, 303–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (1958) Seed germination in arctic and alpine species. Arctic, 11, 180– 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L. C. (1962a) Adaptations of arctic and alpine plants to environmental conditions. Arctic, 15, 117–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (1962b) Caloric and lipid content of alpine tundra plants. Ecology, 43, 753–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (1963) Alpine plant communities of the Presidential Range, New Hampshire. Ecology, 44, 678– 9 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L. C. (1966) Plant productivity in alpine microenvironments on Mount Washington, New Hampshire. Ecological Monographs, 36, 125– 55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (1969) Alpine plant community patterns in relation to environmental parameters, in Essays In Plant Geography And Ecology (ed. K.N.H. Greenridge), Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, N.S. pp. 167–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (1970) Primary production within arctic tundra ecosystems, in Productivity And Conservation In Northern Circumpolar Lands(eds W.A. Fuller and P.G. Kevan), IUCN New Ser. No. 16. Morges, Switzerland, pp. 77– 85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (1971) Arctic and alpine plant life cycles. Annual Review Ecology and Systematics, 2, 405–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (ed.) (1977a)Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, Canada: A High Arctic Ecosystem, University of Alberta Press, Edmonton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (1977b) General summary Truelove Lowland ecosystem, in Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, Canada: A High Arctic Ecosystem, University of Alberta Press, Edmonton, pp. 657– 75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (1979) Vascular plant vegetation of the Southern Circumpolar Region in relation to Antarctic, alpine, and arctic vegetation. Canadian Journal of Botany, 57, 2167–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. (1981) North American and Scandinavian tundras and polar deserts, in Tundra Ecosystems: A Comparative Analysis(eds L.C. Bliss, D.W. Heal, and J.J. Moore), Cambridge University Press, London, pp. 8– 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L.C. and Mark, A.F. (1974) High alpine environments and primary production on the Rock and Pillar Range, Central Otago, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal Botany, 13, 445– 83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonde, E.K. (1965) Further studies on the germination of seeds of Colorado alpine plants. University of Colorado Studies, Series In Biology, No. 18, 1– 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonde, E.K. (1968). Survival of seedlings of an alpine clover (Trifolium nanum Tou.). Ecology, 49, 1193–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J., Miller, P.C., Tieszen, L.L., Bunnell, F.L. and Maclean, S.F.Jr (eds) (1980) An Arctic Ecosystem: The Coastal Tundra at Barrow, Alaska, Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross. Stroudsburg, PA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell, M.M. (1968) Solar ultraviolet radiation as an ecological factor for alpine plants. Ecological Monographs, 38, 243–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell, M.M., Johnson, D.A. and Fareed, M. (1978) Constraints on tundra productivity; Photosynthetic capacity in relation to solar radiation, utilization and water stress in arctic and alpine tundras, in Vegetation and Production Ecology of An Alaskan Arctic Tundra, (ed. L.L. Tieszen), Springer, Verlag, N.Y. pp. 323–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell, M.M., Robberecht, R. and Billings, W.D. (1980) A steep latitudinal gradient of solar ultraviolet-B radiation in the arctic-alpine zone. Ecology, 61, 600–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell, M.M. Robberecht, R., Nowak, R.S. and Billings, W.D. (1982) Differential photosynthetic inhibition by ultraviolet radiation in species from the arctic-alpine life zone. Arctic Alpine Research, 14, 195–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chabot, B.F. (1979) Metabolic and enzymatic adaptations to low temperature, in Comparative Mechanisms of Cold Adaptation (eds L.S. Underwood, L.L. Tieszen, A.B. Callahan, G.E. Folk), Academic Press, N.Y., pp. 283–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chabot, B.F. and Billings, W.D. (1972) Origins and ecology of the Sierran alpine flora and vegetation. Ecological Monographs, 42, 163–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chabot, B.F., Chabot, J.F. and Billings, W.D. (1972) Ribulose-1, 5-diphosphate carboxylase activity in arctic and alpine populations of Oxyria digyna. Photosynthetica, 6, 364–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin, F.S. III (1978) Phosphate uptake and nutrient utilization by Barrow tundra vegetation, in Vegetation And Production Ecology of An Alaskan Arctic Tundra (ed. L.L. Tieszen), Springer-Verlag, N.Y., pp. 483–507.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin, F.S. III (1979) Nutrient uptake and utilization by tundra plants, in Comparative Mechanisms of Cold Adaptation (eds L.S. Underwood, L.L. Tieszen, A.B. Callahan, G.E. Folk), Academic Press, N.Y., pp. 215–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin, F.S. III and Slack, M. (1979) Effect of defoliation upon root growth, phosphate absorption, and respiration in nutrient-limited tundra graminoids. Oecologia, 42,67–79,

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin, F.S. III, Tieszen, L.L., Lewis, M.C., Miller, P.C. and McCown, E.H. (1980) Control of tundra plant allocation patterns and growth, in An Arctic Ecosystem; The Coastal Tundra of Northern Alaska(eds J. Brown, P.C. Miller, L.L. Tieszen, F.L. Bunnell and S.F. MacLean). Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, Stroudsberg, PA, pp. 140– 8 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clausen, J. (1965) Population studies of alpine and subalpine races of conifers and willows in California high Sierra Nevada. Evolution 19,. 56–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clebsch, E.E.C. (1960) Comparative morphology and physiological variation in arctic and alpine populations of Trisetum spicatum, PhD thesis, Duke University, Durham, NC

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, W.S. (1908) Alpine vegetation; in the vicinity of Long’s Peak, Colorado. Botanical Gazette, 45, 319– 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Courtin, G.M. (1968) Evapotranspiration and energy budgets: of two alpine microenvironments, Mt Washington, New Hampshire, PhD thesis, University Illinois, Urbana.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, D.F. (1933.) Alpine plant succession on James Peak, Colorado. Ecological Monographs, 3, 300–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, E. (1963) On the heat exchange of a wet vegetation surface and the ecology of Koenegia islandica. Oikos, 14, 190– 211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daubenmire R.F. (1941) Some ecological features of the subterranean organs of alpine plants. Ecology 22, 370–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daubenmire, R.L. (1954) Alpine timberlines in the Americas. and their interpretation. Butler University Botanical Studies,. 11, 119–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, G.W. and Bliss, L.C. (1977) Alpine and high subalpine plant communities of the North Cascades Range, Washington and. British Columbia. Ecological Monographs, 47, 113– 50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dorf, E. (1960) Climatic changes of the past and present. American Scientist, 48, 341–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehleringer, J. and Miller, P.C. (1975) Water relations of selected plant species in the alpine tundra, Colorado. Ecology, 56, 370– 80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fahey, D.B. (1973) An analysis of diurnal freeze-thaw and frost heave cycles in the Indian Peaks Region of the Colorado Front Range. Arctic Alpine Research, 5, 269–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fareed, M. and Caldwell, M.M. (1975) Phenological patterns of two alpine tundra plant populations on Niwot Ridge, Colorado. Northwest Science, 49, 17– 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flock, J.W. (1978) Lichen-bryophyte distribution along a snow-cover-soil moisture gradient, Niwot Ridge, Colorado. Arctic Alpine Research, 10, 31– 47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonda, R.W. and Bliss, L.C. (1966) Annual carbohydrate cycle of alpine plants on Mt Washington, New Hampshire. Bulletin Torry Botanical Club, 93, 268– 77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griggs, R.F. (1956) Competition and succession in a Rocky Mountain fellfield. Ecology, 37, 8–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadley, E.B. and Bliss, L.C. (1964) Energy relationships of the alpine plants on Mt Washington, New Hampshire. Ecological Monographs, 34, 339– 57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, D.H. and Klikoff, L.G. (1972) Water stress in krummholz, Wasatch Mountains, Utah. Botanical Gazette, 133, 392– 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harter, J.E. (1981) Comparative Autecology of Cassiope Species at Treeline in Jasper National Park, Alberta, PhD Thesis, University of Alberta, Edmonton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbie, J.E. (ed.) (1980) Limnology of Tundra Ponds, Barrow, Alaska. Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, Stroudsburg, PA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holch, H.E., Hertel, E.W., Oakes, W.C. and Whitewell, H.H. (1941) Root habits of certain plants of the foothills and alpine belts of Rocky Mountain National Park. Ecological Monographs, 3, 327–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, H.T. (1927) Vegetation of the alpine region of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. National Academy Science Memoirs, 3, 1–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holway, J. G. and Ward, R.T. (1965) Phenology of alpine plants, in northern Colorado. Ecology, 46, 73–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hrapko, J.0. and La Roi, G.H. (1978) The alpine tundra vegetation of Signal Mountain; Jasper National Park. Canadian Journal of Botany, 56, 309–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, L.E. and Bliss, L.C. (1982) Distribution of ephemeral herbaceous plants near treeline in the Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A. Arctic Alpine Research, 14; 33– 42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, L.E. and; Bliss, L. C. (1984) Phenology and water relations of three plant life-forms in a dry treeline meadow. Ecology, 65, 1302–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson; D.A. and Caldwell, M.M. (1974) Field measurements of photosynthesis and leaf growth rates of three alpine plant species. Arctic Alpine Research, 6; 245–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson; D.A. and Caldwell, M.M. (1975) Gas exchange of four arctic and alpine tundra plant species in relation to atmospheric and soil moisture stress. Oecologia, 21, 93–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D.A., Caldwell, M.M. and Tieszen, L.L. (19 74) Photosynthesis in relation to leaf water potential in three alpine plant species, in Primary Production and Production Processes, Tundra Biome (eds L.C. Bliss and F.E. Wielgolaski), Tundra Biome Steering Committee, Edmonton, pp. 205–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, P.L. and Billings, W.D. (1962) The alpine vegetation of the Beartooth Plateau in relation to cryopedogenic processes and patterns. Ecological Monographs, 32, 105–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kincaid, D.T. and Lyons, E.E. (1981) Winter water relations of red spruce on Mount Monadrock, New Hampshire. Ecology, 621, 1155– 69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klikoff, L.G. (1965a) Microenvironmental influence on vegetational pattern near timberline in the Central Nevada. Ecological Monographs, 35, 187–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klikoff, L.G. (1965b) Photosynthetic response to temperature and moisture stress of three timberline meadow species. Ecology, 46, 516–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klikoff, L.G. (1966) Temperature dependence of the oxidative rates of mitochondria in Danthonia intermedia, Penstemon davidsonii and Sitanion hystrix. Nature, 212, 529– 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klikoff, L.C. (1968) Temperature dependence of mitochondrial oxidative rates of several plant species of the Sierra Nevada. Botanical Gazette, 129, 227–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner, C. and Mayr, R. (1980) Stomatal behavior in alpine plant communities between 600 and 2 600 metres above sea level, in Plants and their Atmospheric Environment(eds J. Grace, E.D. Ford and P.G. J. rvis), Blackwell, London, pp. 205– 18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuramoto, R.T. and Bliss, L.C. (1970) Ecology of subalpine meadows in the Olympic Mountains, Washington. Ecological Monographs, 40, 317– 47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Drew, E.F. and Weller, G. (19 78) A comparison of the radiation and energy balance during the growing season for an arctic and alpine tundra. Arctic Alpine Research, 10, 655–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsay, J.H. (1971) Annual cycle of leaf water potential in Picea engelmannii and Abies lasiocarpa at timberline in Wyoming. Arctic Alpine Research, 3, 131–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Little, E.L. (1941) Alpine flora of San Francisco Mountain, Arizona. Madroño, 6, 65– 81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Löve, D. (1970) Subarctic and subalpine: where and what? Arctic Alpine Research 2, 63–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCown, B.H. (1978) The interactions of organic nutrients, soil nitrogen, and soil temperature and plant growth and survival in the arctic environment, in Vegetation and Production Ecology of an Alaskan Arctic Tundra (ed. L.L. Tieszen), Springer-Verlag, N.Y., pp. 435–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Major, J. and Taylor, D.W. (1977) Alpine, in Terrestrial Vegetation of California(eds M.G. Barbour and J. M. jor), John Wiley and Sons, N.Y. pp. 601– 75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marchand, P.J. and Chabot, B.L. (1978) Winter water relations of timberline plant species on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire. Arctic, Alpine Research, 10, 105– 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marchand, P.J. and Roach, D.A. (1980) Reproductive strategies of pioneering alpine species: seed production, dispersal and germination. Arctic Alpine Research, 12, 137–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mark, A.F. (1962) Zonation of vegetation and climate on the Old Man Range, Central Otago. Otago University Science Record, 12, 5– 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mark, A.F. (1970) Floral initiation and development in New Zealand alpine plants. New Zealand Journal Botany, 81, 67–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marr, J.W. (1961) Ecosystems of the Front Range of Colorado, University Colorado Studies, Series in Biology, No. 8, University Colorado Press, Boulder.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, P.C., Stoner, W.A. and Ehleringer, J.R. (1978) Some aspects of water relations of arctic and alpine regions, in Vegetation and Production Ecology of an Alaskan Arctic Tundra (ed. L.L. Tieszen), Springer-Verlag, N.Y., pp. 343–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, H.A. (1963) Physiological ecology of coastal, subalpine, and alpine populations of Polygonum bistortoides. Ecology, 44, 812– 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, H.A. and Billings, W.D. (1960) The annual carbohydrate cycle of alpine plants as related to growth. American Journal Botany, 47, 594–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney H.A. and Billings, W.D. (1961) Comparative physiological ecology of arctic and alpine populations of Oxyria digyna. Ecological Monographs 31, 1–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, H.A. and Billings, W.D. (1965) Effects of altitude on carbohydrate content of mountain plants. Ecology, 46, 750–1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, H.A. and Johnson. A.W. (1965) Comparative physiological ecology of an arctic and an alpine population of Thalictrum alpinum L. Ecology, 46, 721– 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, H.A. and West, M. (1964) Photosynthetic acclimation of plants of diverse origin. American Journal Botany, 51, 825–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, H.A., Hillier, R.D. and Billings, W.D. (1965) Transpiration rates of alpine plants in the Sierra Nevada of California. American Midland Naturalist, 74, 374–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, H.A., Wright, R.D. and Strain, B.R. (1964) The gas exchange capacity of plants in relation to vegetation zonation in the White Mountains of California. American Midland Naturalist, 72, 281–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muc, M. (1977) Ecology and primary production of the Truelove Lowland sedge-moss meadow communities, in: Truelove Lowland, Devon Island Canada; A High Arctic Ecosystem (ed. L.C. Bliss) University of Alberta Press, Edmonton, pp. 157–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberbauer, S. and Billings, W.D. (1981) Drought tolerance and water use by plants along an alpine topographic gradient. Oecologia, 50, 325–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osburn, W.S. Jr (1961) Successional potential resulting from differential seedling establishment in alpine tundra stands. Bulletin Ecological Society America, 42, 146–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearcy, R.W. (1969) Physiological and varied environmental studies of ecotypes of Deschampsia caespitosa(L.) Beauv, PhD thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, K.M. and Billings, W.D. (1982) Growth of alpine plants under controlled drought. Arctic Alpine Research, 14, 189–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Retzer, J.L. (1956) Alpine soils of the Rocky Mountains. Journal Soil Science, 7, 22–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, J.H. (1980) Ecophysiology of a Deciduous Timberline Tree, Larix lyalliiParl, PhD thesis, University of Alberta, Edmonton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, S.G. and Salisbury, F.B. (1977) Plant responses to the light penetrating snow. Ecology, 58, 1152–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robberecht R., Caldwell, M.M. and Billings, W.D. (1980) Leaf ultraviolet optical properties along a latitudinal gradient in the arctic-alpine zone. Ecology 61, 611–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rocow, T.F. (1969) Growth, caloric content and sugars in Caltha leptosepala in relation to alpine snowmelt. Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club, 96, 689–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rocow T.F. (1970) Ecological investigations of Thalspi alpestre L. along an elevational gradient in the central Rocky Mountains. Ecology 51, 649–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rydberg, P.A. (1914) Formation of the alpine zone. Bulletin Torrey Botanical Club, 41, 457–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salisbury F.B. (1976) Snow flowers. Utah Science 37, 35–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salisbury, F.B. and Spomer, G.G. (1964) Leaf temperatures of alpine plants in the field. Planta, 60, 49 7–505.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sayers, R.L. and Ward, R.T. (1966) Germination responses in alpine species. Botanical Gazette, 127,11–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, D. and Billings, W.D. (1964) Standing crop and productivity of an alpine tundra. Ecological Monographs, 34,243–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, D., Hiller, R.D. and Billings, W.D. (19 70) Correlation of CO2 exchange with moisture regime and light in some Wyoming subalpine meadow species. Ecology, 51, 701–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • See, M.G. and Bliss, L.C. (1980) Alpine lichen-dominated communities in Alberta and Yukon. Canadian Journal Botany, 58, 2148–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaver, G.R. and Billings, W.D. (1975) Root production and root turnover in a wet tundra ecosystem, Barrow, Alaska. Ecology, 56, 401– 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaver, G.R. and Billings, W.D. (1977) Effect of daylength and temperature on root elongation in tundra graminoids. Oecologia, 28, 57–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spomer, G.G. (1964) Physiological ecology studies of alpine cushion plants. Physiological Plantarum, 17, 717-–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spomer, G.G. and Salisbury, F.B. (1968) Eco-physiology of Geum turbinatum and implications concerning alpine environments. Botanical Gazette, 129, 33–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Svoboda, J. (1977) Ecology and primary production of raised beach communities Truelove Lowland. Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, Canada: A High Arctic Ecosystem (ed. L.C. Bliss), University of Alberta Press, Edmonton, pp. 185–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, W.F. (1961) The shape of New England mountains. Part II. Appalachia, 44, 316– 35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen, L.L (1970) Comparisons of chlorophyll content and leaf structure in arctic and alpine grasses. American Midland Naturalist, 83, 238–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen, L.L. (19 72) The seasonal course of aboveground production and chlorophyll distribution in a wet arctic tundra at Barrow, Alaska. Arctic Alpine Research, 4, 307–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen, L.L. (ed.) (1978a) Vegetation and Production Ecology of an Alaskan Arctic Tundra, Springer-Verlag, N.Y.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen, L.L. (1978b) Photosynthesis in the principal Barrow, Alaska species: a summary of field and laboratory responses, in Vegetation and Production of an Alaskan Arctic Tundra (ed. L.L. Tieszen), Springer-Verlag, N.Y., pp. 241–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen, L.L. and Helgager, J.A. (1968) Genetic and physiological adaptation in the Hill reaction of Deschampsia caespitosa. Nature, 219, 1066– 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen, L.L. and Sigurdson, D.C. (1973) Effect of temperature on carboxylase activity and stability in some Calvin cycle grasses from the arctic. Arctic Alpine Research, 5, 59–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen, L.L. and Wieland, N.K. (1975) Physiological ecology of arctic and alpine photosynthesis and respiration, in Physiological Adaptation to the Environment (ed. F.J. Vernberg), Intex Educational Publishers, N.Y., pp. 157–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen, L.L., Lewis, M.C., Miller, P.C., Mayo, J., Chapin, F.S. III and Oechel, W. (1981) An analysis of processes of primary production in tundra growth forms, in Tundra, Ecosystems: A Comparative Analysis(eds L.C. Bliss, D.W. Heal, J.J. Moore), Cambridge University Press, L. ndon pp. 285– 355

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen, L.L., Senyimba, M.M., Imbamba, S.K. and Troughton, J.H. (1979) The distribution of C3 and C4 grasses and carbon isotope discrimination along an altitudinal and moisture gradient in Kenya. Oecologia, 37, 337–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranquillini, W. (1962) Beitrag zur Kausalanalyse des Wettbewerbs ökologisch verchiedener Holzarten. Berichte der Deutschen Botanishen Gesellschaft, 75, 353–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranquillini, W. (1964) Photosynthesis and dry matter production of trees at high altitudes, in The Formation of Wood in Forest Trees (ed. M.H. Zimmerman), Academic Press, N.Y., pp. 505–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranquillini, W. (1978) Physiological Ecology of the Alpine Timberline, Springer-Verlag, N.Y.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranquillini, W. and Schütz, W. (19 70) Ãœber der Rindenatmung einiger Bäume an der Waldgrenze. Centralblatt fur das Gasamte Forstwessen, 87, 42–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wardle, P. (1974) Alpine timberlines, in Arctic and Alpine Environments(eds J.D. Ives and R.G. Barry), Methuen, London, pp. 371– 402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webber, P.J. and May, D.E. (1977) The magnitude and distribution of belowground plant structures in the alpine tundra of Niwot Ridge, Colorado. Arctic Alpine Research, 9, 157– 74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Went, F.W. (1953) Annual plants at high altitudes in the Sierra Nevada, California. Madroño, 12, 109– 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willard, B.E. (1979) Plant sociology of alpine tundra, Trail Ridge, Rocky Mountain in National Park, Colorado. Colorado School Mines Quarterly, 74(4), 1– 119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, J.A. and Hopkins, D.M. (1967) Climatic changes recorded by Tertiary land floras in northwestern North America, in Tertiary Correlations and Climatic Changes in the Pacific (ed. K. Hatai), Saski, Sendi, pp. 67–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yurtsev, B.A. (1972) Phytogeography of northeastern Asia and the problems of Transberingian floristic interrelations, in Floristics and Paleofloristics of Asia and Eastern North America (ed. A. Graham) Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 19–54.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. L. C. Bliss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, USA

    Brian F. Chabot

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, USA

    Harold A. Mooney

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1985 Chapman and Hall

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bliss, L.C. (1985). Alpine. In: Chabot, B.F., Mooney, H.A. (eds) Physiological Ecology of North American Plant Communities. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4830-3_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4830-3_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8641-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4830-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation