Title: Alpine Tundra Ecosystem - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Headings: Alpine Tundra Ecosystem
Alpine Tundra Ecosystem
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It's the Year of the Tundra at Rocky Mountain National Park!
Year of the Tundra Frequently Asked Questions:
What is tundra, what makes it special, and how much alpine tundra does RMNP have?
What is it like on RMNP's tundra?
What plants and animals live on the tundra in RMNP?
How have humans used the tundra in the past?
What is the best way for visitors to explore and experience the tundra?
What are the main threats to RMNP’s tundra?
What kind of research is happening in the tundra at RMNP?
What is the park doing to help protect the tundra?
How can visitors help protect our tundra ecosystem?
Follow the links below to learn about life in the tundra.
Yellow-bellied marmots
Alpine Sunflowers
Pikas
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Alpine Forget-me-nots
Elk
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Content: Routes across the Continental Divide at Forest Canyon Pass (Ute Trail, Fall River Road, Trail Ridge Road) and their associated structures (Lake Irene mess hall, for example) provide an exceptional example of transportation and engineering through the years across what would become our nation’s highest continuous paved highway. Tourism, starting in the early 1900s, brought a new wave of human interest and experiences of the tundra. Construction of Old Fall River Road between 1913 and 1920, provided tundra access to the new burgeoning tourism industry. Trail Ridge Road, completed in 1932, opened opportunities for tourists to explore the tundra and play in the persistent snow fields. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Beatrice Willard Alpine Tundra Research Plots represent one of the United States’ first efforts to incorporate science into long-term management. Data collected from these plots continues to influence the experience of visitors today. Today, Trail Ridge Road, scenic viewsheds, and historic alpine trails continue to attract visitors to this unique environment. What is the best way for visitors to explore and experience the tundra? Scenic drives along Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road are a great first step in seeing RMNP’s alpine tundra. Paved pull-offs and formal trails give access to spectacular mountain vistas, opportunities to view wildlife, and a chance to get up close to the short, hardy vegetation that covers the ground.