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subalpine

subalpine

1 8.0
High mountain areas just below the tree line where plants and animals live
  • adjective
  • /ˌsʌbˈæl.paɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : subalpino
  • The subalpine forest habitat of this species is severely overbrowsed by feral and domestic ungulates (sheep), although effective fencing could solve this problem.
  • subalpine forest

Examples

  • The subalpine region is home to unique wildlife that has adapted to the colder temperatures and rugged terrain.

  • The trail climbs through subalpine forest, past the treeline

    Academic text (1998)
  • To that end, my colleagues and I began an experimental study of climate-ecosystem feedback 12 years ago in a subalpine meadow at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (see figure 3).

    Academic text (2002)
  • Quercus semecarpifolia (karshu oak) dominates at 2400-3000 m in subalpine conditions.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Betula utilis (bhojpatra birch) is widespread in subalpine forests throughout the Himalaya.

    Academic text (1997)
  • They have small areas of summer-irrigated fields, large sections of widely dispersed, often infertile rainfed fields, and sizable stands of temperate and subalpine forest.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Departments with more than half hybrid or American plantings were concentrated in the Loire drainage, in the Midi-Pyrenees, in the Massif Central, in the Rhone valley, and in subalpine eastern France, a substantial portion of viticulturally significant France.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The hiking trail leads through a stunning subalpine forest, filled with colorful wildflowers and towering trees.

  • During our climb, we encountered many subalpine plants, which thrive just below the treeline on the mountain.

Synonyms

montane
vssubalpine
  • Specialized
9.1

Relating to mountains, especially the lower parts where trees grow

is limited to high altitudes just below the tree line
alpestrine
vssubalpine
  • Specialized
9.9

Growing in high mountain areas where trees do not grow

specifies occurrence just below the tree line rather than any high altitude

Antonyms

4 3.2

On land that is lower and usually flatter than nearby hills

Compounds

subalpine larch
  • Specialized
9.8

A medium-sized mountain tree in the Rocky Mountains with soft needles that turn golden in autumn

subalpine fir
  • Specialized
8.9

A medium-tall evergreen tree that grows high in western North America with a narrow upright crown

How High

alpine
1 5.7
subalpine
  • Specialized
1 8.0
montane
  • Specialized
9.1
lowland
4 3.2

Surface Forms

subalpine positive

Morphology

subalpine = alpine (transparent) = sub + alpine

The adjective is formed by the productive prefix 'sub-' meaning 'below' added to the adjective 'alpine', giving a directly inferable meaning.

Etymology

Subalpine comes from the prefix sub- meaning 'under' and alpine meaning 'of high mountains', as in the Alps. So subalpine describes the area and the plants or animals that live just 'below' the highest mountain zone, right under the tree line.