tree-line
Altitude stops forests
The tree-line is the elevation or latitude beyond which trees cannot grow, marking the boundary between forest and alpine tundra or arctic barren ground.
On mountains, you cross the tree-line as you climb; toward the poles, you cross it as you travel north or south.
Above or beyond the tree-line, conditions are too harsh—cold, wind, thin soil—for trees to survive.
Also spelled treeline.
Elevation beyond which trees fail
- subalpineJust below treeline zone
- elevationHeight above reference point
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- upper limitMaximum permitted value
montane · stunted growth · high altitude · thin air · harsh conditions · growing season · alpine meadow
Boundary between distinct habitats
- transition zoneRegion between differing areas
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
endemic species · adaptation · microclimate · soil conditions · permafrost · pioneer species · succession · environmental stress
Apparent earth-sky meeting
- vistaPleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- sceneryVisible natural surroundings
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
silhouette · skyline · contour · terrain · viewpoint · backdrop · photograph · dramatic
Sign indicating route direction
- navigationDetermining position and course
- elevation gainTotal altitude increase traveled
- scramblingMoving clumsily in haste
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
backcountry · alpine hiking · mountain trek · waypoint · orientation · cairns · ridgeline · panoramic views
Rising planetary temperatures
- temperature riseIncrease in heat level
- carbon sinkCO2 storage reservoir
- glacial retreatShrinking of ice masses
- permafrost thawPermanently frozen soil melting
climate adaptation · growing season · climate monitoring · environmental change · climate research
timberline
Elevation beyond which trees fail
- subalpineJust below treeline zone
- elevationHeight above reference point
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
upper limit · montane · stunted growth · high altitude · thin air · harsh conditions · growing season · alpine meadow
ecotone
Boundary between distinct habitats
- transition zoneRegion between differing areas
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- floraPlants of a region
fauna · endemic species · adaptation · microclimate · soil conditions · permafrost · pioneer species · succession · environmental stress · wildlife corridor
horizon
Apparent earth-sky meeting
ridge · silhouette · skyline · contour · terrain · viewpoint · backdrop · photograph · dramatic · picturesque
trail marker
Sign indicating route direction
- navigationDetermining position and course
- elevation gainTotal altitude increase traveled
- scramblingMoving clumsily in haste
wilderness · backcountry · alpine hiking · mountain trek · waypoint · orientation · cairns · ridgeline · panoramic views · weather exposure
global warming
Rising planetary temperatures
- temperature riseIncrease in heat level
- carbon sinkCO2 storage reservoir
- glacial retreatShrinking of ice masses
permafrost thaw · climate adaptation · growing season · climate monitoring · environmental change · climate research
tree-linevalley floor
Bottom of depression between hills
lowlands · alpine zone · tundra · sea level · timberland
tree-linedense forest
Closely packed woodland
old-growth forest · rainforest · woodland · timberland · canopy