montane

9.1

Relating to mountains, especially the lower parts where trees grow

adjective
/mɒnˈteɪn/

Specialized

: montano

Many montane plants thrive in cool, moist environments.

Examples

The montane forest is home to many unique species.
These flowers are typical of montane habitats in the Himalayas.
Scientists studied the effects of climate change on montane forests.
The park is home to many montane species of birds and mammals.
These flowers are typical of montane habitats in the Himalayas.
The park is home to many montane species of birds and mammals.
Many montane plants thrive in cool, moist environments.

Synonyms

mountainous

vsmontane

24 3.4

A region that has many mountains and steep slopes

relates mainly to plants, animals, or climate in those high zones

mountainy

vsmontane

4.7

Land with many tall, steep hills and sharp peaks

refers especially to living things and climates below the tree line

How High

alpine

1 5.7

subalpine

Specialized

1 8.0

montane

Specialized

9.1

upland

1 5.1

lowland

4 3.2

Surface Forms

montane positive

Morphology

montane = mountain (semi-transparent) = mont + ane

The adjective relates directly to 'mountain' in meaning but uses the altered combining form 'mont-' and the less familiar suffix '-ane', so the relation may not be obvious to learners.

Etymology

Montane comes from the root mont- which means 'mountain' and is the same root in mountain, so montane describes plants, animals, or climates that live on mountains, often where trees still grow.