Altitude

Definition

Altitude refers to the height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level. In the context of terrestrial biomes, altitude plays a significant role in determining climate, vegetation types, and animal species that can thrive in specific regions. As altitude increases, temperature generally decreases, leading to distinct ecological zones, which can greatly influence biodiversity and biome distribution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. As altitude increases, the average temperature typically decreases at a rate of about 6.5 degrees Celsius for every kilometer gained in elevation, known as the environmental lapse rate.
2. Different altitudinal zones host unique biomes; for instance, tropical forests can be found at lower altitudes while alpine tundra exists at higher elevations.
3. Altitude affects oxygen availability; higher altitudes have lower oxygen levels, which can limit the types of organisms that can survive there.
4. Mountain ranges often create a diversity of microclimates due to varying altitudes, leading to rich biodiversity in regions that might otherwise be uniform.
5. Human activities such as agriculture and urbanization can impact the natural biomes associated with specific altitudes, often leading to habitat loss and changes in local ecosystems.

Review Questions

• How does altitude affect climate and biodiversity in different terrestrial biomes?
  • Altitude significantly influences climate by affecting temperature and precipitation patterns, which in turn impacts biodiversity. As elevation increases, temperatures typically drop and unique climate zones develop. This leads to distinct ecosystems adapted to specific altitudinal conditions, allowing for a variety of plant and animal species that might not thrive at lower elevations.
• Discuss the relationship between altitude and the distribution of various plant communities in mountainous regions.
  • In mountainous regions, different plant communities are distributed according to altitude due to variations in climate conditions. At lower elevations, one might find dense forests or grasslands that support diverse plant species. As altitude increases, these communities transition into shrubs and eventually alpine tundra or barren landscapes. Each zone has adapted to the specific conditions present at that elevation, such as temperature fluctuations and soil types.
• Evaluate how human impacts on ecosystems at high altitudes might differ from those at lower elevations, considering factors like climate change and land use.
  • Human impacts on high-altitude ecosystems can be more pronounced due to their fragile nature and limited biodiversity. Climate change affects these areas by altering temperature and precipitation patterns, potentially leading to habitat loss or shifts in species distributions. Additionally, land use changes like tourism or agriculture can disrupt delicate alpine ecosystems that have evolved over millennia. In contrast, ecosystems at lower elevations might be more resilient due to greater biodiversity and larger areas of suitable habitat.

Related terms

Elevation:

Elevation is a synonym for altitude, specifically referring to the height of a location above a fixed reference point, often sea level.

Orographic Effect: The orographic effect describes how mountains influence weather patterns and precipitation, as air rises and cools at higher altitudes, leading to different climatic conditions on windward and leeward sides.

Climate Zones: Climate zones are regions classified by their typical weather patterns, which are significantly influenced by altitude along with latitude and other geographic factors.