Here are some unique facts about the alpine biome.
- Only 200 species of plants can survive in the alpine biome, due to the decreased levels of CO2, a vital factor involved in the photosynthesis cycle. The soil is also very bad for growing most plants because nothing can decompose due to the freezing temperatures so most of the ground is sandy or rocky.
- Animals that live in the alpines develop more blood cells and larger lungs to increase oxygen intake, shorter legs, tails, and ears to reduce the amount of lost body heat, and all animals are warm-blooded. The animals also need to stay protected from the UV rays from the sun because there is less atmosphere to protect them.
- Most plants cannot grow over three inches or they will be blown over by the wind and freeze, but bristlecone pine is one of the oldest known trees and is one of the only trees that can grow here because it has a very strong trunk.
- High mountain in latin is "alps", that is where alpine was derived from.