ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the geographic patterns of alpine vascular plant diversity in the Rockies, as derived from literature sources, in order to suggest some biogeographic factors which influence latitudinal variation in diversity. It explores influence of soil nutrient supply and other factors, such as disturbance, on landscape and local patterns of alpine plant diversity. The chapter suggests mechanisms by which plant diversity influences alpine ecosystem function. It focuses primarily on the Central and Southern Rocky Mountain provinces, reflecting the greater availability of information from this part of the Rockies. Alpine plant communities in the Rockies are spatially distributed in a regular fashion in association with topographic relief. The role of plant diversity in ecosystem functioning and resilience is currently the subject of debate. Higher diversity of alpine vascular plant species increases the variation of plant functional types, including different physiologies, morphologies, rooting depths and densities, and symbiotic relationships with soil microbes.
