This page was created by Kara Krumenauer and John Medved. The alpine region is usually defined as the area above the treeline. In Alaska, the treeline is much lower than in the lower 48 states. For example, the treeline in the Talkeetna Mountain Range is only 3,000 feet above sea level in comparison to the southern Rockies which have a treeline around 8,000 feet. This is because Alaska is at a much higher latitude.
Alpine tundra is characterized by long, cold winters and short summers.
Depending upon the location and depth of land, much of the ground remains frozen year-round, which is referred to as permafrost. Permafrost greatly affects all aspects of alpine tundra. Because of the permafrost, root systems of plants can't get down too deep, so trees don't grow perfectly straight. The yearly cycle of freezing and thawing is constantly altering the geology and life of the area. During our trip to Alaska, we visited three specific areas that were prime examples of alpine environment.