The Alps - siliceous rock (Europe)
Although experiencing a similar climate, the vegetation on siliceous rock differs
substantially from that on
calcareous rock.
Soils are very acidic, commonly deeper (at least at lower alpine elevations), hold more
moisture and the number of species found per unit of land area is much smaller. A
characteristic
ericaceous
dwarf shrub belt near the treeline is soon replaced by closed alpine sedge heath, the most
characteristic element
of the central Alps.
1 - Swiss Alps, Furka Pass, 2500 m.
1 - Swiss Alps, Furka Pass, 2500 m.
2 -
Carex curvula
(Cyperaceae), the most common plant species in late successional grass heath of the central
Alps (2600 m).
2 -
Carex curvula
(Cyperaceae), the most common plant species in late successional grass heath of the central
Alps (2600 m).
3 -
Pedicularis kerneri
(Scrophulariaceae) (Mt. Glungezer, Tyrol, 2600 m)
3 -
Pedicularis kerneri
(Scrophulariaceae) (Mt. Glungezer, Tyrol, 2600 m)
4 -
Primula minima
(Primulaceae), a typical co-dominant of
Carex curvula
(Cyperaceae) in the E-Alps, but not found in the W-Alps.
4 -
Primula minima
(Primulaceae), a typical co-dominant of
Carex curvula
(Cyperaceae) in the E-Alps, but not found in the W-Alps.
5 -
Rhododendron ferrugineum
(Ericaceae) near the treeline.
5 -
Rhododendron ferrugineum
(Ericaceae) near the treeline.
6 -
Juncus jaquinii
(Juncaceae) (2500 m)
6 -
Juncus jaquinii
(Juncaceae) (2500 m)
7 -
Aster alpinus
(Asteraceae), a representative of the old Tertiary flora of the Alps (2400 m).
7 -
Aster alpinus
(Asteraceae), a representative of the old Tertiary flora of the Alps (2400 m).
8 -
Geum reptans
(Rosaceae) (2600 m)
8 -
Geum reptans
(Rosaceae) (2600 m)
9 -
Ranunculus glacialis
(Ranunculaceae)
9 -
Ranunculus glacialis
(Ranunculaceae)
10 -
Saxifraga oppositifolia
(Saxifragaceae).
10 -
Saxifraga oppositifolia
(Saxifragaceae).
11 -
Cerastium uniflorum
(Caryophyllaceae)
11 -
Cerastium uniflorum
(Caryophyllaceae)
12 -
Poa alpina ssp. vivipara
(Poaceae)
12 -
Poa alpina ssp. vivipara
(Poaceae)
13 -
Leucanthemopsis alpina
(Asteraceae) in scree vegetation.
13 -
Leucanthemopsis alpina
(Asteraceae) in scree vegetation.
14 -
Soldanella pusilla
(Primulaceae), a snow bed species.
14 -
Soldanella pusilla
(Primulaceae), a snow bed species.