Altitudinal Distribution Patterns of Alpine Plants : Studies Along a Coast-Inland Transect in Southern Scandes, Northern Europe

This book describes the vertical distribution and ecology of 161 alpine vascular plant species along a coast-inland transect in central Norway. The diagrams in chapter V are based on systematic field work during 20 years, giving totally about 40000 single observations, where altitude above sea level and distance from coast line have been central variables. The resulting patterns are related to important limiting climatic variables, including temperature and precipitation. There are also diagrams depicting vertical patterns of regional vegetation, permafrost, glaciers and bedrock. The results have relevance for management of alpine plant species related to future climate change. The main target audience are scientists within phytogeography and plant ecology as well as nature managers and conservationists. This book is also relevant for teachers in upper secondary school. The main authors are phytogeographers and plant ecologists, whereas the contributing authors mainly represent geophysical sciences.