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Montane Vegetation

Montane Vegetation This land cover category covers all land where subalpine and alpine soils would be mapped - equivalent, in general terms, to land above the 'treeline'. A range of plant communities characterise this unit, from wind-clipped heather moorland at the low levels to true alpine communities on exposed summits. Areas with sparse vegetation are also present along with rock-strewn areas and patterned ground, associated with frost-heave processes, is often conspicuous.

Wind-blasted vegetation on Cairngorm plateau
Wind-blasted vegetation on Cairngorm plateau

Learning & Resources


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The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. This merger formed a new powerhouse for research into food, land use, and climate change.