treeline
Altitude stops growth
The treeline is the elevation or latitude beyond which trees cannot grow, marking the boundary between forest and alpine or arctic zones.
Above the treeline, conditions become too cold, dry, or windy for trees to survive: We hiked above the treeline into bare rock and tundra.
Also called timberline.
Elevation beyond which trees fail
- elevationHeight above reference point
- subalpineJust below treeline zone
- alpineOf high elevations
- montaneOf cooler elevated zones
snowline · ecotone · upper limit · high-altitude · stunted growth · exposure · gradient · zonation
Boundary between distinct habitats
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- floraPlants of a region
conifers · spruce · fir · pine · evergreens · deciduous · canopy · understory
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- skylineUrban profile against atmosphere
contour · edge · boundary · outline · backdrop · scenic · ridgeline · mountainscape
Of northern regions
- taigaSubarctic evergreen biome
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- polarOf extreme latitudes
subarctic · lichen · moss · barren · harsh · latitude · circumpolar · growing season
Changing position or form
- advancingMoving in forward direction
- retreatingMoving back from advance
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
climate change · migration · encroachment · expansion · monitoring · indicator · sensitivity · projections
timberline
Elevation beyond which trees fail
montane · snowline · ecotone · upper limit · high-altitude · stunted growth · exposure · gradient · zonation
ecotone
Boundary between distinct habitats
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
flora · conifers · spruce · fir · pine · evergreens · deciduous · canopy · understory · wildlife corridor
vista
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
skyline · contour · edge · boundary · outline · backdrop · scenic · ridgeline · mountainscape · contrast
boreal
Of northern regions
- taigaSubarctic evergreen biome
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
polar · subarctic · lichen · moss · barren · harsh · latitude · circumpolar · growing season
shifting
Changing position or form
- advancingMoving in forward direction
- retreatingMoving back from advance
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
temperature · climate change · migration · encroachment · expansion · monitoring · indicator · sensitivity · projections · historical
- forestswoods, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, temperate forest, grove
- hikingtrail, hike, hiker, trails, day hikes
- ArcticArctic Circle, Arctic Ocean, Arctic wildlife, Arctic exploration, Arctic research
- landscapesmountain, valley, hills, landscape, scenery
- AlpsAlps, Swiss Alps, Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Austrian Alps
- forest featuresredwoods, old-growth forest, sequoias, ancient forest, fallen log
treelinealpine zone
Elevation above treeline
valley floor · tundra · lowlands · summit · sea level
treelinedense forest
Closely packed woodland
old-growth forest · rainforest · bare rock · desert · grassland