In a biogeographic sense, the term 'alpine' refers to the life zone above the natural upper-climatic treeline, irrespective where you are on earth. This is the way we use the term throughout the course. There is a contrasting usage in common language where 'alpine' is often used as an adjective for the European Alps and/or indicates mountain regions in general from the valleys to the mountain tops.

ALPECOLe covers the ecology of the alpine environment at a global scale, from the upper climatic treeline to the uppermost limit of life, which is sometimes distinguished from the alpine zone and referred to as subnival and/or nival zone(s).
Plant and animal species are often not restricted to alpine habitats and knowledge on the treeline ecotone contributes to understanding the ecology above the treeline. Therefore, the ecology of upper mountain forests and the treeline ecotone are partly covered in this course as well.

29 August 2011
© ALPECOLe 2002-2007