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particles, and the severe desiccation of plant tissues by high winds. Although <br /> alpine environments receive greater precipitation through orographic effects <br /> than do lower elevation sites, they hold relatively little of this abundance on the <br /> typical wind-exposed sites. Snow is moved offsite by scavenging winds during <br /> winter and the ever-present winds also evaporate/sublime moisture throughout <br /> the year. The thin atmosphere overhead at high altitude sites renders them <br /> strongly exposed to levels of ultaviolet radiation that greatly exceed those of <br /> lower elevation sites. The effects of intense UV radiation may be seen in <br /> various forms of damage to living tissue, often in the general form of <br /> denatured chlorophyll, which obviously further constrains rates of carbon <br /> fixation and hence potential plant growth rates. To survive and grow in alpine <br /> environments, plants must have a thick cuticle and/or hairs to protect cells <br /> from radiation and moisture loss. In addition, such adaptations provide at <br /> least some protection from the potential physical damage that may be inflicted <br /> by flying rock particles that are carried by the strong winds. The abrasion <br /> caused by blowing sand and gravel-sized particles can damage protective <br /> coverings and facilitate critical damage to cells now exposed to radiation and <br /> dessication. <br /> Despite these perhaps seemingly insurmountable factors in opposition, <br /> germination and establishment of young plants is feasible in alpine sites through <br /> attention to details of species selection and planting methods. Full exposure to <br /> the viscissitudes of the alpine environment will inevitably exact high mortality. <br /> Species selected need to have demonstrated adaptation to alpine sites. <br /> Surprisingly, many cultivars of common European pasture species have over the <br /> years shown good initial growth after being sown on disturbed alpine sites. <br /> Use of their inititial vigor in conjunction with the proven staying power of native <br /> alpine species is a useful approach to the challenge of high altitude <br /> 2 <br />