Which of the following vegetation is considered as 'Vegetation of High altitude'?

Option 1 : Montane forests

The correct answer is Montane forests.

• Montane forests
  • The vegetation of high altitudes is Montane Forests.
  • In mountainous areas, the decrease in temperature with increasing altitude leads to the corresponding change in natural vegetation.
  • These forests cover mostly the southern slopes of the Himalayas, places having high altitudes in southern and north-east India.
  • At higher elevations, temperate grasslands are common.
  • At high altitudes, generally more than 3,600 metres above sea-level, temperate forests and grasslands give way to the Alpine vegetation.
  • Silver fir, junipers, pines, and birches are the common trees of these forests.
  • However, they get progressively stunted as they approach the snow-line.
  • Ultimately though shrubs and scrubs, they merge into the Alpine grasslands.
  • As such, there is a succession of natural vegetation belts in the same order as we see from the tropical to the tundra region.
  • The common animals found in these forests are Kashmir stag, spotted dear, wild sheep, jackrabbit, Tibetan antelope, yak, snow leopard etc.