Elevation is really important for determining where different plants and animals live. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
Temperature Changes: As you go higher up a mountain, it usually gets colder. This means some plants and animals that live in warm places, like rainforests, cannot survive up high.
Oxygen Levels: When you’re at a higher elevation, there is less oxygen in the air. This can make it hard for some animals to live there. To survive, these animals need to change in special ways, which leads to unique groups of living things that are only found in mountains.
Microclimates: Higher places create different weather areas called microclimates. For example, a valley might be full of green, healthy plants, while a nearby mountain side could be dry and barren. This mix creates different homes for various creatures.
Ecological Zones: In mountainous regions, you can find different areas like montane and alpine zones. Each of these zones has its own special plants and animals.
In summary, elevation is more than just how tall a place is. It plays a big role in how many types of plants and animals we find in nature, creating interesting differences all around us.
Elevation is really important for determining where different plants and animals live. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
Temperature Changes: As you go higher up a mountain, it usually gets colder. This means some plants and animals that live in warm places, like rainforests, cannot survive up high.
Oxygen Levels: When you’re at a higher elevation, there is less oxygen in the air. This can make it hard for some animals to live there. To survive, these animals need to change in special ways, which leads to unique groups of living things that are only found in mountains.
Microclimates: Higher places create different weather areas called microclimates. For example, a valley might be full of green, healthy plants, while a nearby mountain side could be dry and barren. This mix creates different homes for various creatures.
Ecological Zones: In mountainous regions, you can find different areas like montane and alpine zones. Each of these zones has its own special plants and animals.
In summary, elevation is more than just how tall a place is. It plays a big role in how many types of plants and animals we find in nature, creating interesting differences all around us.