According to the different levels of altitude, there are also different zones
of vegetation between the northern edge of the Alps (400 to 600 m) and the high
mountain area of the Hohe Tauern. There, some summits are higher than 3000 m.
The Alpine foothills are a region of agricultural use. The forests were replaced
by meadows and fields. Especially in the upper region of the Alpine foothills
one can still find some forests. In the so called sub-Alpine mixed woodland grow
not only beech trees and firs, but also Scotch elms, yews, maples etc. (this
woodland has been often replaced by spruce forests).
Between the altitudes of 600 m and 1600 m there is woodland where spruces, beech
trees, larches and pine trees can be found,
At the upper edge of the forest especially spruces and larchs are growing. In
the Hohe Tauern mountains high alpine stone pines can be found. The mountain
pine is typical for the chalkey plateaus.
Beyond the upper edge of the forest, the Alpine pastures begin (1500 - 2300 m).
Here a typical Alpine flora is growing: arnica, all types of gentians, globle
flower etc. Here only few stone pines, mountain pines and larchs can be seen.
Also an Alpine heath is found: heahter, blueberry, cranberry, lichens and
especially the red Alpine rose.
In the rocky area (2300 - 2700 m) there grow not only moss and lichens, but
also some other plants like the edelweiss . The glacier buttercup can be still
found at altitudes of 2000 - 4000 m and is therefore the highest flowering
plant in Europe.
On Alpine terraces also moors exist. Cotton grasses, heather and dwarf Arctic
birches are characteristic of this biotope.
