ENVIRONMENTAL issues in the alpine biome
Snow and Cold in the Alpine Biome provides for many animals to adapt to these specific factors to survive in the alpine biome providing for a diversity of animals. As well as animals adapting to this biome humans that live in these areas have their lungs start to expand to contain more oxygen, which is available in lesser quantities in these specific locations. Economically mountains play a critical role in how we use water in providing essential water for settlements, agriculture and industries downstream. This is because the mountains capturing the moisture from air masses and when it falls as snow it is stored until it melts in the spring and summer creating streams thus helping provide water for other ecosystems that are larger. Also, mountains have ski resorts that help bring generate profit and entertainment to skiers and snowboarders through specific months. Pine trees that are present in this biome help serve as fuel wood after being cut down.
Human impacts
Global warming is a serious issue in the mountains and other alpine environments, because of the cutting down of pines that inhabit those areas. Also, water loss is an issue also that occurs with less precipitation reaching theses environments. Less water at the peaks means that less water is reaching the basin of mountains, which can harm ecosystems that are at the base of these mountains. Water flow rates increase because of the clear-cutting of pines to help make space for buildings and ways of transport and other things like ski-slopes thus more water reaching the basin quicker. This results in depletion of water resources for animals leading many animals to die off as a result. The positive feedback loop that occurs is due to the rapid pace the peaks of snow that melt at these mountains, and making solar radiation in turn be stored in rocks and dark spots which warm the earth instead of deflecting it back into space.
solutions
There are many solutions that could we could strive for to help improve life for everyone associated with the alpine biome and limit the damage that could be done in the future. One of the solutions that could help would be taking this land out of the hands of private industry control and leave it to the government and have it federally controlled and regulated. Infrastructure should be limited to not interfere with animals and their migration patterns, so they are able to thrive in their natural environment. Deforestation of mountains should not be allowed or at least regulated to ensure no harm is being done to the animals present in this area. Strive towards using less energy sources that contribute to the high percentage of greenhouse gases present that affect this biome dramatically.