Actual microclimate depends on slope inclination, slope exposure to the sun and vegetation cover. These three elements together can create climatic differences within a few meters of alpine terrain which meteorological stations would only measure across 1-2 km of elevational gradients.

Above the alpine treeline, microclimate depends more on relief and exposure than on macroclimate.

1 - The annual course of root zone temperature (10 cm below the surface) at exactly 2500 m altitude, but at sites contrasting in slope exposure (near Furka Pass, Swiss Alps, c. 300 m above the climatic treeline). (Körner 2003)

2 - Extreme microclimate contrasts across very short distances.

29 August 2011
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