[1] 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
Links:
[1] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/images/explorescotland/es-montane-vegetation.jpg
[2] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/staff/david-miller
[3] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/learning/exploringscotland/introduction
[4] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/learning/exploringscotland/landcover-scotland-1988