Mountains host a rich mixture of terrestrial and aquatic habitats, which vary across elevations within mountain ranges, and across south-to-north latitudes among mountain ranges. The diversity of habitats is home to a wealth of plants, animals, and other biotas. In relation to those areas, mountains contribute disproportionately to the biodiversity of life on Earth. Mountains occupy about 25% of the earth’s land but are home to more than 85% of the world’s amphibians, birds, and mammals, many of which are entirely confined to the mountains.
Mountain ecosystems face numerous threats. The most significant include air pollution, climate change, invasive species, altered fire regimes, and habitat fragmentation outside of parks.
Geomorphic Characteristic of Mountain
Mountainous terrains have certain unifying characteristics. Such terrains have higher elevations than do surrounding areas. Moreover, high relief exists within mountain belts and ranges. Individual mountains, mountain ranges, and mountain belts have been created by different tectonic processes.
According to geologists, any landform which is higher than its surrounding landscape by at least 300 meters can be defined as a mountain. Other characteristics of a mountain include a high point called the peak, steep slopes, and local relief. Mountains are usually found in a series of ranges or chains.
Mountains are formed when tectonic plates collide against each other, causing the land to rise. Some examples of mountain ranges are the Himalayas, Karakoram mountain ranges, Hindu Kush mountains, the Alps, the Andes, etc.
Due to the high altitude and relief, the climate in the mountains is different than what is commonly found in plains. Moreover, the weather can also vary depending on the difference in height, location, exposure to the sun, latitude, etc. The mountains in the temperate region experience more seasons than their counterparts in tropical areas.
However, the climate conditions at the topmost level of mountains usually share the same features. These mountain features include –
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Less oxygen density.
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Less air pressure.
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Lower temperature.
The variation in climate in mountain ecosystems is responsible for some of the richest biodiversity in the world. Very few mountain animals and plants are found at the high altitudes where the weather is extreme.
The few that are found have adapted themselves specifically to survive the climate. Mountain animal adaptations include thick body furs to protect against the cold. Their hooves and legs are specially evolved to help them navigate slippery rocks
Different Plants of Mountain
Plants on mountains and hills are tall, straight, and have a sloping, much shape to make the snowfall off easily. They usually have no flowers and are conical with seeds. The leaves are needle-shaped with a wax-like coating. For example, small flowerless plants such as cedar, pine, fern, lichen, and moss.
Adaptation of Mountain Plants Include
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Trees usually have conical shapes.
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Leaves are narrow and needle-shaped. It helps them to save water.
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Another unique adaptation of plants in hilly areas is that their seeds are attached to the surface of their scales in a cone-like form.
Coniferous trees like pines and spruces are typical examples of such mountain plants.
At the foothills of mountains, where the temperature is moderate, vegetation such as temperate forest, scrubland, tundra is seen. Animals such as black bears, wolves, mountain goats, elk are examples of mountain habitat animals.
Different Animals of Mountain
Mountain animals include Snow Leopard, Andean Condor, Big Horn Sheep, Chamois, Ibex, Mountain Goat, Mountain Gorilla, Chinchilla, Alpine Marmot, Lynx, Golden Eagle, Vicuna, and Himalayan Tahr. Mountain animals often have special adaptations to life in cold, windy mountain climates.
A Short Note on Mountain Animals
Given below is a list of some common mountain region animals –
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Himalayan Bear –
Bears are one of the most common cold mountain animals. There are two types of bears found in the Himalayan Mountains; these include the Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) and the Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus).
The black bears have a glossy black or brownish coat with a whitish mark on their chest. Its long neck and shoulder hairs serve as a mane. The brown bear is sandy or reddish-brown. The Asiatic bear is an omnivore and spends the summer months in mountain forests at 11,800 feet. During winters, these animals descend to lower regions.
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Snow Leopards –
They are found in high mountain ranges such as Siberian Mountain and the Himalayas. They have strong legs which help them to jump long distances efficiently. They have thick hair and a long tail which they use as body balance. They are shy animals and are spotted rarely.
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Mountain Ibex –
These are wild mountain goats found in north-eastern Africa, Asia, and Europe. They spend the summer in the snowy mountain regions and come down to lower areas in the winter. These mountain animals have grey to brownish fur and males have curved horns and beards. There are several types of Ibex such as Siberian, Asiatic, Nubian, etc.
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Marmot –
These giant squirrels can be seen in the mountains of North America and Eurasia. They have thick fur all over the body, short legs, and strong claws to help them dig.
Marmots are vegetarian and feed on tundra vegetation and other mountain region plants. They accumulate food during summer and hibernate during the winters.
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Himalayan Red Panda –
They are small mountain animals about the size of a domestic cat. They have reddish-brown fur, a long shaggy tail, and short legs with thick hair. The red pandas mostly feed on bamboos but are also known to eat eggs, birds, and insects and prefer to hunt on their own. These animals are found in the temperate forests of the Himalayas.
Conclusion
The list given above includes only some among the many mountain animals and birds found in the mountain ecosystems around the world. This is all about the ecosystem of mountains. Understand the difference between its flora and fauna with the rest of the ecosystems we find in other topographies
. You will get to know the changes and adaptations in their lifestyle due to their diverse habitat when compared to other animals.