The New Childrens Encyclopedia

68

Mountains

No other place on Earth shows such a dramatic

variation in habitats as you can find on the slopes

of a mountain. The warm, sheltered valleys abound

with animal and plant life, but freezing winds batter

the exposed peaks. Only the hardiest of species can

survive in this extreme environment.

O

Standing at a height of 29,029 ft (8,848 m), Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on the

land. It is part of the enormous range called the Himalayas in Central Asia.

O

Mauna Kea, in Hawaii, is the world’s highest mountain, rising up 33,474 ft (10,203 m)

from the ocean floor. Only 13,796 ft (4,205 m) is visible above sea level.

O

Oxygen levels drop sharply with increasing altitude. Many animals produce more red

blood cells, or have larger hearts, to carry more oxygen around their bodies.

O

A “dead zone” occurs above 20,000 ft (6,000 m). Few animals can survive in the dead

zone due to the high winds and freezing temperatures.

O

The Himalayan pika lives at an altitude of 16,800 ft (5,250 m)—the highest of any

known mammal in the world.

MOUNTAIN HIGHS AND LOWS

RICH RESOURCES

Almost 25 percent of the Earth’s land surface area is covered by

mountains. They feed most of the world’s river systems and are rich

in mineral resources. Few people live high up in the mountains,

but many use them for activities such as climbing and skiing.

ENVIRONMENTAND ECOLOGY

 THE HIGH LIFE Hardy birds,

such as the colorful ptarmigan, can

withstand the harsh environment on

the upper slopes of the mountain.

 RIVER VALLEY Mountain

streams trickle down through the

valley floor, forming a rich habitat

for bank voles and other animals.

 FLOWER SLOPES

Highland vegetation such as bell

heather supports a range of

herbivores, which, in turn,

are food for predators such

as the gray wolf.

(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.