The biology of alpine habitats

1. Introduction: what is alpine? 2. High mountains in latitude life zones - a worldwide perspective 3. Elevation gradients 4. The alpine environment - energy and climate 5. Habitat creating factors: landforms, hydrology, and soils 6. Alpine terrestrial habitats and community types / assemblages 7. Biogeography, adaptation and evolution of alpine organisms 8. Temporal and spatial dynamics 9. Global change impacts on alpine habitats: climate and nitrogen deposition 10. Land use and conservation of alpine landscapes, ecosystems, and species 11. Concluding remarks References Index