OBJECTIVE 1. Understand and document alpine plant diversity >
TARGET 1:
Develop a working map of all North American alpine areas by 2022.
A clear understanding of the distribution of North American alpine habitat is needed in order to protect alpine plant diversity. Using the definition of alpine as the treeless regions at the uppermost reaches of the mountains, a map of alpine habitats in North America will be compiled using a GIS format. The map will include all areas that meet the narrow definition of alpine described as having a mean growing season temperature of <6.4°C.
Progress
An updated alpine map is coming spring 2024!
Approach
In order to fully understand the areas we aim to conserve, we have to know where they are. But how do we define what constitutes “alpine”? Alpine is defined as the treeless regions at the uppermost reaches of the mountains, below permanent snow. We use a technology called Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to build digital maps using a variety of criteria including climate variables, slope, aspect and more. The transition from montane ecosystems to alpine is understood to be dependent on temperature, so we use the mean growing season temperature of 6.4°C as the cutoff.
Result
Using this criteria, Jodie Kirschner, a former Research and Conservation GIS Intern at Denver Botanic Gardens, made this map of our North American alpine areas. In 2021, we updated the map to include additional areas with input from Dr. Dara Seidl, Associate Professor of GIS at Colorado Mountain College, and we are currently refining it even more with a new update coming spring 2024.
Team Members
- Emily Griffoul, Alpine Strategy Coordinator & Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Conservation Scientist
- Jodie Kirschner, former Research and Conservation GIS Intern at Denver Botanic Gardens
- Dr. Dara Seidl, Associate Professor of GIS at Colorado Mountain College