Additional :)

Question 1

What is the other ecosystem you’ll be studying the biophysical interactions for?

Answer 1

Alpine Snowy Mountains, Australia

Question 2

Brief spatial patterns and dimensions of alpine snowy mountains

Answer 2

Location: above 1800m in the Snowy Mountains
Latitude: 36°S 148°E
Altitude: 1800-2227m a.s.l.
Size: approx. 50 sq. km

Question 3

Dyn of wthr & clmt
Alpine snowy mountains
Incl. climatic type, precip, temp, winds

Answer 3

Cool temperate mountain climate

Precip: intense storms of short duration, snow possible all year, summer rain

Temp: 15.5 max in summer down to -25 degrees Celsius in winter

Wind: south-westerly strong, gale force

Question 4

Hydrosphere
Alpine snowy mountains

Answer 4

Water avail: all year either in liquid or frozen state
Catchment: upper catchment of Murray, Snowy and Murrumbidgee Rivers
Run-off: tremend, esp with spring thaw

Question 5

Lithosphere
Alpine snowy mountains

Answer 5

Mainly granite
Main soil type: thin skeletal mountain lithosol, waterlogging in frost hollows meaning slow bacterial and nitrogen recycling

Question 6

Biosphere
Alpine snowy mountains

Answer 6

30 exclusive alpine plant species (e.g. alpine muntbush, mt. plum pine and Tussock grass)
31 small mammal species (e.g. pygmy possum)

Pkant ecosystems varied and unique - incredible range of flowering alpine plants in late Jan-Feb