elevation zones and vegetation

Types of vegetation vary depending on temperature and rainfall, which in turn depend on altitude.

tropical forest

Dense, highly varied forest in the intertropical zone, where precipitation is abundant and regular.

deciduous forest

Forest composed mainly of trees with broad leaves that grow back every year.

mixed forest

Forest composed of conifers and deciduous trees.

coniferous forest

Forest composed mainly of softwood trees with evergreen leaves in the form of needles or scales.

tundra

Plant formation that grows in relatively arid regions; it includes mosses, lichens, grasses, bushes and dwarf trees.

glacier

Mass of ice resulting from the accumulation and compression of snow; it moves under its own weight.