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- What causes the water balance of the landscape to increase with elevation (describe the trends for the three major components of the hydrological equation)?
Reduced evapotranspiration at increased precipitation. In the temperate zone also because of reduced seaons length. (P = E + R)
- What are the two key components of soils that determine plant water relations?
rooted depth and pore volume/sceleton (stones)
- How do plants control their water relations in dry alpine areas (e.g. in the Andean semideserts)?
via LAI (plant density)
- What is the most important indirect consequence of water storage in the Alpine?
nutrient availability
- Name two groups of plants which can desiccate completely without damage.
lichens, mosses, algae
- What is the role of leaf pubescence at high elevation (name at least two functions)?
reflection of solar radiation, reduction of surface wetting, herbivore defense
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