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Upper Montane/Alpine Zone

Ecoregion in Appalachian Mountains in NY, VT, NH, ME

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The Upper Montane/Alpine Zone combines the high-elevation spruce-fir forests and the higher elevation subalpine and alpine communities. It is a region of high winds, cold temperatures, shallow acidic soils and rock outcrops. Elevations are generally above 2500 feet, although in northern Maine the boundary can occur as low as 2000 feet. The high-elevation spruce-fir forests, generally at 2500 to 3500 feet, contain red spruce, balsam fir, and heartleaf, paper, and yellow birches. Stunted balsam fir forests are often found from 3500 to 4500 feet in elevation. Alpine zones are found on Mt. Washington, Mt. Katahdin, and other peaks, and may contain heath/krummholz communities, dwarf shrub/sedgerush meadows or barrens. Cryic Spodosols and Histosols are typical. The numerous disjunct areas of this ecoregion are important for both migrating and non-migrating species. Unique wildlife of these high elevations include Bicknell’s thrush, black-backed woodpecker, blackpoll warbler, and rock vole.

— EPA

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