Thesis Proposal.docx

18

19





Kevin Berend
May 2016

Investigating the environmental constraints on a threatened ecosystem:
Snowbed communities of Mt. Washington, New Hampshire.
Background
General – Alpine Ecology
Alpine vegetation is found in high-elevation areas around the world, notably the Rockies, Andes, Himalayas, and European Alps. Typically defined as the area above natural treeline (Korner 1999) and cooler than the 6.4° C mean isotherm (Korner et al. 2011), alpine areas present harsh growing conditions for plant life. While treeline is variable worldwide, alpine ecoregions are characterized by rugged terrain, high topographic relief, cold temperatures, continuous exposure to wind and ice, and a short growing season (