Alpine Ecosystem
Chase, Brady, Annika, and Ella S.
Major Consumers Of The Alpine Ecosystem
Coyote-
The coyote is very clever. Modern coyote’s have shown their cleverness by adapting to the changing American landscape.These members of the dog family once lived primarily in open prairies and deserts, but now roam the continent's forests and mountains. The coyote is an omnivore. Because they sometimes kill lambs, calves, and other livestock farmers regard them as destructive pests. Coyotes form strong family groups. In spring, females den and give birth to litters of three to twelve pups. Both parents feed and protect their young and their territory. The pups are able to hunt on their own by the following fall. |
The Mountain Lion-
The Mountain Lion is a powerful predator that roams North and South America. It is also known as a puma, cougar, and catamount. It is a carnivore. Mountain Lions feed on smaller animals like deer, and rabbits. The mountain lion has big paws for balance in the snow. An Mountain Lion is able to sneak up on its prey with it’s stealth, focus, and determination. |
The North American Elk-
The North American Elk can also be referred to as the wapiti, that is a Native American word that means, “Light-colored deer.” Elk are related to deer, but are much larger than most of their relatives. Bulls (which are male elk) lose their antlers every March, but they will soon start to grow back in May. Elk are herbivores (they eat plants and twigs.) In the winter the herds will return to lower valley pastures where elk spend the season pawing through snow to browse on grass or settling for shrubs that stand clear of the snow cover. |
The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep-
The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep ram’s are known for their long curled horns. The horns can weigh up to 30 pounds. The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is also a herbivore. they are five to six feet tall. The ewes (female sheep) have horns, but they are much smaller in size than the ram’s horns. |
The Pika-
The Pika is a small rodent-like critter. Although they may look like a squirrel or a guinea pig they are more closely related to rabbits and hares. Pika’s are herbivores. These little critters especially love to chew on the weeds and tall flowers that grow on this terrain. Pika’s appear to have a sort of brown and black fur. Because of the color of their fur they will seem to sort of blend into the rocks. The pika is usually seven or eight inches long. |
Marmot-
The marmot is another small rodent-like critter. It is considered part of the squirrel family. The marmot ranges from 15 to 25 inches long. Marmots have stout bodies, very round ears, and powerful digging claws. A marmot is a herbivore. Marmots live under rocks high in the alpine tundra. |
Alpine Birds
Mountain Bluebird-
Habitat- The mountain bluebird breeds in the high mountain meadows with scattered trees and bushes and short grass. It winters at lower elevations in plains and grasslands. Diet-The bluebird hovers over the ground looking for insects and when he sees one he swoops down and eats it. Adaptations- Small pointed black bill, black feet. Predators- House cats, falcons, snakes, opossums, hawks. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/mountain_bluebird/sounds - bird call |
American Dipper-
Habitat- Near clear, fast mountain streams with rapids. Diet- It feeds on insects and their larvae, including dragonfly, small crayfish, and larvae. It may also take tiny fish or tadpoles. Adaptions: They dive underwater to get their food. Predators: Since they like living near streams their predators are usually racoons or mink. http://birds.audubon.org/birds/american-dipper -bird call. |
American Pipit-
Habitat-American Pipit is a bird of high tundra habitats, including not only Arctic latitudes, but also in the alpine tundra of the Rocky Mountains Diet-During summer, American Pipits eat mostly invertebrates. During fall and winter, American Pipits tend to feed on grass and weeds Predators: Hawks Adaptations: : Long Legs, Nice beak. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_pipit/sounds - bird call |
Sharp Shinned Hawk
Habitat- The Sharp Shinned Hawk is mostly found in ranges to 11,000 feet to 11,500 feet. They don’t like areas where the trees are scattered either. Diet-Songbirds make up about 90 percent of the Sharp-shinned Hawks diet especially warblers, sparrows, and thrushes Predators-None Adaptations- Sharp Talons, Long wing span, Sharp sturdy beak. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/sharp-shinned_hawk/sounds - Bird Call |
Golden Eagle:
Habitat- They are found primarily in mountains up to 12,000 feet, canyonlands, rimrock terrain, and riverside cliffs and bluffs. Diet- Golden eagles use their speed and sharp talons to snatch up rabbits, marmots, and ground squirrels. They also eat carrion, reptiles, birds, fish, and smaller things such as large insects. Predator: None Adaptations: Sharp Beak, Talons, http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/golden_eagle/sounds -Bird call |
Rock Ptarmigan-
Habitat- Open tundra, barren and rocky slopes in Arctic and alpine areas; in winter, some movement to thickets and forest edge Diet- Rock ptarmigans eat plant parts including berries, buds and twigs. Adaptions- Ptarmigan have feathers on their legs and feet, which lend added warmth and the ability to move smoothly over the snow, as if they were walking on snowshoes. Predator-The ptarmigans predators are gyrfalcons and golden eagles and red fox. Bird Call- http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rock_Ptarmigan/sounds |
Alpine Ecosystem Major Producers
As you make your way up independence pass or any mountain really, you will notice that a tree line will eventually develop. Above this point the climate will start to change, which makes it harder for trees to thrive and grow, and tundra-like plant community will develop. Plants here will include various wildflowers, Barrenground willows, grasses and mosses, and other low growing plants. Lichens can also be found here.
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Wildflowers are low-growing plants that are found all around the alpine life zone. These flowers can withstand the cooler weather because of the different petals these flowers have, and they all grow lower to the ground which is good for being higher up in elevation. Flowers such as Elephants head, Indian paintbrush, Mountain bluebells, and more.
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Different lichen and mosses are mostly found on rocks higher up in the alpine ecosystem. They are low growing and live on rocks. It will usually grow anywhere in the alpine ecosystem, where there is a bit more water or snow around.
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These alpine grasses are about as tall as a flower. They are low growing and are fine in colder weather, with less water because of the roughness of some plants. The roots can also reach deep into the hearty dirt soil at this altitude to find water.
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The Barrenground willow is a small bush-like shrub found higher up in the alpine life zone. The Barrenground is part of the willow family even though it is a low-growing shrub. Barrenground willow is abundant at sub-alpine and alpine levels, often forming extensive thickets. At such high altitude Willows are home to many critters; leaves and twigs are an important browse. The presence of these Barrrenground Willows almost always indicates that soil moisture is high. The same is true for almost all Willows
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One wildflower includes the columbine. The columbine is indigenous to Colorado. In fact Colorado's state flower is the columbine. A columbine is a low growing flower. You usually will not find any flowers in the winter so you will not find the columbine in the alpine ecosystem in the winter. Instead you will find snow.
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The Indian paintbrush is usually red but will sometimes appear to be white or pink. The wildflower is also a low growing plant just like other wildflowers. The Indian paintbrush can also be referred to as the Castilleja. The Indian paintbrush was used to make paint by the Native Americans. It usually grows higher up in elevation with other wildflowers. The paintbrush is used to cooler elevations so it would not do very well lower in elevations.
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Human Impacts
-The most severe threat to this ecosystem is global warming. Many scientists believe global warming is caused by greenhouse gases. This may eliminate Arctic regions, including the tundras forever.
-Oil exploration, mining, and fracking can also ruin the alpine ecosystem. Fracking can affect the water, snow, and wildlife.
-Much water from the alpine ecosystem is used as drinking water from melting snow.
-Oil exploration, mining, and fracking can also ruin the alpine ecosystem. Fracking can affect the water, snow, and wildlife.
-Much water from the alpine ecosystem is used as drinking water from melting snow.
