Towards the end of the summer there is the possibility of some soil moisture deficit. However, a significant feature of the water balance is the snow melt period from May to July when a large amount of water is released from the snow pack. The amount released is probably smaller than that indicated by the computations in Table 14.2 because much of the winter snow is blown from the ridge by high winds. Climatic Factors Affecting Flora and Fauna Low temperatures and a short growing season, high winds, and the presence or absence of snow pack strongly affect the flora and fauna of this site. Much of the flora protects itself from the extreme thermal conditions by having a large proportion of its biomass under the ground.
Plants grow quickly especially at the beginning of the short growing season.
Their variations in type and productivity tend to be related to marked soil moisture gradients which, in turn, are related to the location of semi- permanent snow banks. Many of the fauna take advantage of protection under the snowpack or the rocks of fellfields. Life in the aquatic systems is influenced by the presence of surface ice in the winter and by the pronounced flushing during the late spring melt period. Literature Cited Greenland, D. 1987. The Climate of Niwot Ridge.