Fellfield
A fellfield is a unique ecosystem found in alpine regions, characterized by rocky terrain and limited plant life due to the harsh climatic conditions. Typically located on mountain slopes at altitudes too high for larger vegetation to survive, fellfields are cool, dry, and often subject to frost and strong winds. The name "fellfield" stems from an Old Norse word meaning "hill," originally referring to high moorlands with sparse vegetation. These areas can be found across Europe, North America, New Zealand, and other mountainous locations, where they feature gentle slopes or flattened surfaces with at least 50 percent rock and gravel coverage.
In fellfields, only low-growing, hardy plants can thrive, such as cushion plants and some succulents. These adaptations, including long roots for accessing deep water and small leaves to conserve moisture, enable them to survive in a rocky, dry environment. The plants are typically arranged in pillow-like formations, which help them withstand wind damage and capture organic matter. Additionally, some species have specialized adaptations to protect against intense ultraviolet light exposure at high altitudes. Overall, fellfields represent a fascinating example of plant resilience in challenging alpine conditions.
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Fellfield
A fellfield, or fell-field, is part of the ecosystem in an alpine environment. Located on slopes in mountainous alpine regions where the temperatures are too cold for most plant life to thrive, fellfields are predominantly rocky with only low perennial plant growth that has adapted to the unique conditions. The term fellfield is often used to refer to both the area and the plants that grow in these areas.
Overview
Alpine refers specifically to the mountainous areas at altitudes too high for trees and larger plants to grow. These areas tend to have cool temperatures and are subject to the effects of frost. The related freezing and thawing cycles break up the rocks near the surface. The areas are also often swept by heavy winds, which further erode any soil.
Fell in this instance comes from an Old Norse word for "hill" and was originally used to refer to high moorlands, or areas with sparse vegetation. The term was first applied to areas of tundra in Europe, where the ground is rocky and frozen for much of the year and covered with plant life for only a short period. Fellfield lands are similar, but some scientists question whether it is accurate to apply the term to areas that do not contain the European plants found in the original fellfields. Some botanists refer to these areas as Alpine steppe; a steppe is a treeless grassland. Nevertheless, fellfield is generally applied to rocky, nearly barren, alpine areas in Europe, North America, New Zealand, and other areas.
Fellfields are gently sloped or flattened areas on a mountainside where 50 percent or more of the ground is covered in rocks and gravel. The lack of larger plant life makes it easy for the wind to sweep away most soil, and any soil that does accumulate is prone to being washed over the otherwise hard ground by the rain. The rocky surface allows water to percolate, or move from the surface into the below-ground water table very quickly. This is also true of melting snow; however, fellfields are snow-free most of the year because the wind quickly blows snow away.
As a result, the climate in a fellfield is rocky, dry, and usually cold. These conditions are not friendly to most types of plant life. The plants that grow in fellfields are often of a type known as cushion plants. These plants have long roots, small leaves, and grow close to the ground in pillow-like configurations. The long root enables them to reach water deep underground, while the small leaves allow them to flourish with less water than large leafed plants. The low growth minimizes damage from the wind and allows the plant to capture bits of soil and other organic matter that helps it grow. The leaves of plants growing in a fellfield also often have small hairlike projections, an adaptation that protects them from harmful ultraviolet light that reaches the ground more easily at higher altitudes. Some succulent plants also grow in fellfields.
Bibliography
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