Alpine Tundra Ecosystem of Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado

December 26, 2016

Rmnp_eco_small (1)

Photographer: Tom Wildoner
Summary Author: Tom Wildoner
 
Welcome to the land above the tree line; this is the Alpine Tundra Ecosystem inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. The alpine zone here starts at approximately 11,000 ft  (3,353 m). A little more than one-third of Rocky Mountain National Park lies above this altitude. It's marked by stunted growth in trees and a change from coniferous forests to shrubs and grasses due to lower annual temperatures, higher winds and thinner soils. The change between the subalpine zone and the alpine zone is particularly dramatic as viewed along the Trail Ridge Road. Photo taken on September 21, 2016.

Photo Details: Canon EF70-200 mm f/2.8L USM lens; HDR image; 1/640 and 1/250 second exposures; ISO 500; f/20; 200mm.

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