Photosynthesis and antioxidative protection in alpine herbs

Abstract

Alpine environments are found all over the world, from the south over the tropics to the north. Alpine herbs are defined here as higher plant species growing above the tree line up to and within the persisting snow line (nival life zone). The altitude of their occurrence varies strongly from around sea level in the far north and south to elevations above 4,000-5,000 m.a.s.l. in Africa and the Himalaya (Körner 2003). In the European Alps the alpine life zone starts at approximately 2,000 m elevation, depending on local microclimatic conditions. The mean annual air temperature in the Alps at this elevation is approximately 0°C (Friend and Woodward 1990) and on average the vegetation period is limited to 5 months per year.