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Globally, water relations are second in importance only to temperature in shaping vegetation. To what extent does periodic shortage or overabundance of moisture availability affect alpine plants? This topic will be developed by first reconsidering the ecosystem water balance as it changes with elevation. After a short introduction to principles, the alpine plants' moisture availability will be illustrated. Responses discussed will be both physiological and anatomical. They will include stomatal responses, water potential, syndromes such as succulence and CAM, desiccation tolerance, rooting strategies and carbon isotope signals.
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