In the alpine meadow zone we find plants that favour the lower altitudes as well as arcto-alpine species that prefer the upper alpine zone. According to soil types, localised climate conditions, exposure and altitude, highly different mixtures of species, described as plant associations, develop in proximity. The composition of these associations is a dynamic process, within which an optimal equilibrium can develop between soil, climate and flora.
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Garland-shaped grass patterns / Girlandenrasen
These rather conspicous patterned soils arise from creep movement within the soil.
In spring, when the snow melts, the upper surface layers of the ground thaw and become saturated with meltwater which cannot drain away as the sub-soil is still frozen. Over a period of days the moisture-filled upper layers creep a few centimetres downhill. Once the ground is completely thawed, the meltwater can once again drain away properly and this creeping movement is discontinued.
Unlike creeping soils, garland-patterned swards have nothing to do with the permafrost phenomenon. They are the result of the continuous process of freezing and thawing.
Plants growing in these garlands excercise a stabilising influence, thereby hindering erosion.
A few specialist plants cope very well with existence on moving soils. Each year, grasses and flowering plants that grow at the front of the garlands are flattened and buried. Heather, firm sedge, blue moor-grass and mountain avens all manage to continuously adapt to the situation and therefore survive.
The size of the garlands depends on the inclination of the slope, the soil type and water content. The steeper the slope, the larger the garlands which, if they become too large, break up at their lowest point.
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Symbiosis
Roots and fungi: an interdependent association.
Thanks to the symbiosis between roots and fungi (mycorrhiza), alpine plants are ensured of an improved supply of nitrogen. Fungi absorb nitrogen through their mycelium, which is in turn passed to the plant. At the same time, the fungi benefit from the plant’s chemical processes.
Because of the lower temperatures prevailing in the alpine zones, decomposition of plant material is much slower than in the lowlands, which in turn delays the supply of soil nutrients. Their extensive root network and symbiosis with fungi help alpine plants to compensate for this disadvantage.
Mountain pines live in symbiosis with over 20 different types of fungi. Thanks to this versatility, they are able to take root in all sorts of different and sometimes very poor soils.
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A wide variety of shapes and colours
A great number of plants thrive best in the alpine zone.
An excursion over Margunet, or from Buffalora to Munt la Schera opens our eyes to this amazing variety. The best moment for such an excursion is at the end of June/beginning of July. Depending on the snow and weather conditions, flowering time may be delayed by 1 to 3 weeks.
Within the National Park, the greatest variety of species can be found among the blue moor-grass swards on the warm slopes of Margunet. Here, on these garland-patterned swards a luxuriant display of flowers greets walkers during flowering time at the beginning of July.
Plants must be noticeable if they want to be found by insects. That’s not the only reason, though, why their colours are so intense. There are species that reproduce without the help of insects.
Another more important aspect is protection against UV radiation. The dark blue of the Clusius’s gentian (gentiana clusii) comes from the colour pigment anthocyan, which protects the plant against radiation. At higher altitudes, with the increase in UV intensity, plant colour also becomes more intense.