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The altitude is the
height of the locality where a
species live, it is expressed in
metres above sea level (ASL) |
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Many cacti and
succulents grow in high plain and
quite a few come from high altitude or almost alpine
environments. Various altitude
growing succulents are difficult or impossible to acclimatize in warm
plain habitat or in subtropical
marine environment (and in heated greenhouses too), but many of them can
live more or less well in temperate climate. As one moves from low
elevation to high altitude the environment changes from tropical (or
perhaps temperate depending on which mountain you consider) to arctic.
The gradient of latitude that alters the temperature and season length
variables is mirrored in altitude. So the same gradient of
organisms that exists from equator
to poles is expected to be reflected from base to mountain top.
The change of altitude lead to a vast variety of physical and chemical
modification like radiation,
wind,
temperature,
humidity, etc.; many
plants from high altitude have
developed special habits and are
covered by hairs or
waxy coating to protect against the
intense solar radiation. |