Mountains

MountainsBiome Unit Project – Example

Presentation

MountainsBiome Unit Project

Example Presentation

Mountain BiomeCover 20% of the Earth’s surface.Found on all continents and in all oceans.

Mountain BiomeSome animals only found on specific mountains.Changes in soil, vegetation, climate and

elevation all within a matter of a few feet.

Himalayan Alpine RangeLocated in Asia in the countries of Nepal, Tibet

(China), India, Pakistan and Bhutan.The range makes a curve of 2,400 km through

Southern Asia. Latitude ~30° north of the equator.

Himalayan Alpine RangeHome to some of the highest peaks, with over

100 peaks over 7.2 km Including the highest in the world, Mount

Everest.

PrecipitationVery thin air and dry

air due to high altitude.

Average 30 cm/year; summer around 7 cm, winter about 3 ½ cm., This increases from

West to East.

PrecipitationOver 15,000 glaciers store about 12,000 km3 of

fresh water providing for 600 million people.

Precipitation

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec0

50

100

150

200

mill

imet

ers

(mm

)

Months

TemperatureThe climate is very cold and it is hard to survive

in most parts. It is so cold because of its high altitude.

Two main seasons; long and very cold winters and short and cool summers.

Temperature

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec-20

-10

0

10

20

30

Months

Cels

ius

(°C)

Soil & NutrientsSoils are thin or non-existent on steep slopes,

which restricts the types of plants that can grow.Uppermost slopes may be barren of plant-life.

ProducersOak, laurel, and

chestnut trees found up to 7,000 feet.

Pine trees found up to 12,000 feet.

Above that, only lichens, grass and moss can be found.

Chir Pine TreesConiferous evergreen.Average height is 5.5

m and 4.6 m spread.Drought tolerant

when established.

RhododendronGrows on stony slopes and ledges at altitudes of

12,000 to 14,500 feet.Round in shape and up to 4 feet tall.Contain a poison causing severe stomach ache,

and even liver damage and pneumonia.

Tussock GrassesTheir roots can reach moisture more deeply than

other plants.Food for insects, birds and larger herbivores.

ConsumersVariety of

consumers depending upon elevation and location.

Southern end of the mountain range are tiger, monkey, leopard, and the Asian elephant.

GrasshopperAbout 19 ~ 38 mm.Make noises by rubbing their hind legs on their

abdomens, or by snapping their wings in flight.Prefer to eat grasses, leaves and cereal crops.

Mountain HareChange color from shades of brown to white,

keeping them camouflaged against winter snow.Most active at night, and shelter during the day.Feeds on twigs, bark, and grasses.

Himalayan Tahr4 ft. at shoulders, 5½ ft. long, and 189 pounds.Flexible hooves allow it to grip smooth rocks,

while a hard, sharp rim can lodge into small footholds.

Eat almost any vegetation.

Alpine ChoughsAverage 220 grams, and 38 cm in length with 80

cm wingspan. Eggs have adaptations to thin atmosphere that

improve oxygen uptake and reduce water loss.Eat mostly invertebrates and fruit.

Tibetan Red FoxLargest of the true foxes – 14 kg, 50 cm high at

the shoulder, 90 cm in body length with tails 53 cm.

Run 50 km/h, jump 2 m high, and swims very well.

Eat small mammals, plants and even grasses.

Snow LeopardCoat is thickest of any cat, and average size is

up to 4 feet long, 2 feet high, and up to 3 foot tail.

Long tail for balance, and can pounce up to 20 feet.

Eats wild sheep, wild boars, gazelles, hares, markhor, bobak, tahr, marmots, mice and deer.

Food Web

Himalayan TahrPrimary Consumer

Tussock GrassProducer

Chir Pine TreeProducer

RhododendronProducer

Mountain HarePrimary Consumer

GrasshopperPrimary Consumer

Snow LeopardSecondary Consumer

Red FoxTertiary Consumer

ChoughSecondary Consumer

Poison

Human ImpactGrowing ever more polluted, due to the growing

popularity of climbing the mountains.Supplies are left on the mountain because it

takes too much energy to bring it down again.

SolutionRefundable deposits are charged to the climbers

to encourage them to bring their trash back down.

Too many climbing permits has resulted in responsible tourism criteria of sustainability.