26 June 2011 Tundra Preview

While preparing for my upcoming trip to Alaska, it seems like a good idea to spend some time in a tundra environment. So, with that in mind, I've been venturing out and up in my big backyard. I live where there is ready access to high peaks and stunning vistas. There are many local trails that will lead me up and up to 12,000 feet. This year, due to an 'extended' spring (there was fresh snow on the peaks just last week), access to the high country has been a little difficult. But, with perseverance, and a bit of snowy walking, I have managed to hike to some of my favorite spots to check out the scenery and see how spring is progressing up high.

There are some fundamental differences between the alpine tundra and arctic tundra. First, and foremost, there is the difference between altitude and latitude. Alpine tundra occurs at high elevations, while arctic tundra occurs at high latitudes. That means that you can enjoy alpine tundra even at the equator if you climb up high enough! In 'my' mountains, the transition from trees to tundra occurs between 11,500 and 11,800 feet. Average annual temperatures, soil depth, snow-free periods, and the direction a slope faces all are factors that influence where the trees stop and tundra begins. In the Arctic, treeline is influenced by the short growing season with little sun for much of the year and cold temperatures, as well as the presence of permafrost (permanently frozen ground).

While it was certainly cold up high I was amazed to see the first summer flowers were already blooming anywhere the snow had melted. Many of the flowers that bloom in my mountain backyard also live in the Arctic tundra. I am looking forward to seeing the flowers' arctic equivalents when I venture northward next week!