Alpine meadow is one of the most spectacular sights on earth. In spring, it is a motley oriental rug, covered with plants with bright colors. It is on this vertical mountain belt that representatives of the flora end. Next come stony soil, eternal snows, glaciers that never melt. There is practically no fertile soil there; therefore, plant life is not observed. Alpine meadows are, as it were, the last touch of nature, the largest number of plants is concentrated on them, as if someone was trying to put all the flora on a small piece of land, which could not be found high in the mountains.
Climatic conditions of the alpine zone
The climate in the highlands is quite severe. Meadows are located at an altitude of about 2000 m above sea level, so the temperature drop during the day is more than noticeable here. During the day, heat is up to +45 ° C, and at night frosts are possible. Under such conditions, it is very difficult to survive, but in the process of evolution, the plants adapted to such a climate. An alpine meadow blooms in early spring as soon as the snow falls. By the way, snow cover for this belt is very important, because in winter it protects plants from the sun and strong winds, and in the spring it provides moisture.
The main types of plants
Representatives of flora in alpine meadows are special. Large plants are not found here, because they simply do not have enough time for growth. Low-growing representatives of the flora attract the attention of pollinating insects with bright large flowers and a strong fragrance. Alpine meadows in Abkhazia from early spring to the end of summer resemble a beautiful carpet covered with colorful flowers. There are no shades here - there are both gentle and saturated, light and dark colors. Although the plants in the meadows are stunted, they are incredibly beautiful. In addition, they are strong, because they have adapted to harsh living conditions. Representatives of flora from other belts simply could not survive in the highlands, with constant temperature fluctuations. Short summers, windy and cold winters, solar radiation could not but leave their mark on the appearance of the local vegetation.
Plants of the Alpine meadows of the Caucasus
Very high in the mountains, where there is practically no fertile soil, you can meet incredibly beautiful representatives of the flora. For example, edelweiss, gentian - these flowers survive in the most severe conditions. On the highlands you can find the lowest stunted tree in the world - dwarf willow. Due to her small stature, even the strongest winds are not afraid of her. Alpine meadow plants grow even between rocks. A striking example is youngsters covering mountain slopes and surviving in the most extreme conditions. A bright representative of the flora is Saxifrage. She, like moss, covers a huge area with a whole carpet. In spring, a saxifrage blooms with red, white, and pink large flowers.
In alpine meadows there are all kinds of stonecrop blooming in yellow, white, pink and red flowers. Rhododendrons are an exquisite decoration of the highlands. In late spring, they delight the eye with large flowers of various shades, although the plants are used to harsh conditions, they prefer to be located in well-lit areas. Alpine meadows of the Caucasus are covered with lingonberries, blueberries, waterdrops, junipers. There are cereal plants here, on the high mountain slopes, fluffy sheep grows, reed-like reed, flat-leaved polewort, long-leaved bluegrass. Alpine meadows are always painted in some colors, grasses replace each other, repainting the mountain slopes in a variety of shades.
Bright representative of small mammals of the highlands
When it comes to the fauna of alpine meadows, the image of a mountain goat, chamois and, of course, alpine groundhog immediately arises in thoughts. In the highlands there are not many representatives of the animal world, but some individuals are found in fairly large numbers. Alpine meadow became the home of the eponymous groundhog. This large rodent lives in open areas that reach the very tops covered with snow caps. These are daytime animals, it is very interesting to observe them with binoculars. Alpine marmots cheerfully chew grass, which is held by the front legs. They are busy all day with something: they eat, clean their skin, bask in the sun, play. As soon as one groundhog makes a sharp whistle, which means danger, his brothers will immediately hide in holes. Rodents are in hibernation for more than six months. All this time they spend in burrows up to three meters deep.
Large mammals
Animals of alpine meadows are represented by chamois, tours, mountain goats and other ungulates. Most often in the highlands you can meet chamois. She jumps over huge chasms, climbs to the peaks along steep cliffs. The chamois seems to soar above the peaks, it easily finds even the smallest gap to catch on to it, and is held on a barely noticeable cornice. In winter, animals descend from the mountains down, they are driven by cold and hunger. Chamois winter in the coniferous forests, taking the place of roe deers and red deer, which in the cold season descend even lower into river valleys and deciduous forests. Wintering is most difficult for ungulates, because hunger, inclement weather, and avalanches constantly reduce their stock.
Alpine Meadow Birds
Not many birds live on the highlands - only those who managed to adapt to harsh conditions remained here. The higher the mountains, the more often the lemon finch occurs , this bird lives in an open area, where only lonely larch and spruce grow. This representative of the fauna lives only near the Alps. Variegated and blue stone thrushes are another resident of alpine meadows. They are very beautiful, mainly live on the earth, settle closer to the mountain slopes. Alpine meadow also sheltered snow reel, alpine jackdaws, nests, white-bellied swifts. The most representative feathered of these places is considered to be a golden eagle, it soars above the tops of the mountains, describing circles with powerful wings.
Alpine meadow is a paradise on earth, striking the imagination of a person who first saw him. Despite the harsh climate, a huge number of very beautiful plants grow here, animals and birds live.