MOUNT BLUE SKY - Adaptation is the most basic yet prolific key to survival in absolutely any environment or situation, whether human-caused or natural. The inability to adapt generally spells the end, no matter what caused it. 

All life as we know it exists on Earth today because of years—sometimes millions—of subtle yet consistent adaptation to the environment that life calls home.

Here in the mountains, one of the clearest examples of adaptation to the environment is the growth, or more specifically the lack of it, depending on elevation. Things just don’t grow as big up here. 

This phenomenon includes humans. That isn’t to say that those who live at elevation all grow smaller. However, babies who are conceived and gestated at higher elevations are typically born smaller on average than those born at lower elevations. This is due to a passive form of hypoxia, or simply a lack of oxygen.

While growth stunting is subtle at our relative elevation (with the greater Peak to Peak region lying between 7,000 - 9,000+ feet), the changes become more obvious as one climbs higher into the mountains. It is quite noticeable in plants. 

The higher you go the smaller the plants grow. A patch of the state flower, the beautiful Columbine, may grow around here to have a stalk of about a foot or so with a flower width of 2-3 inches. This same species found at 11,000 feet will average about 3 - 6 inches tall with a flower about an inch or so wide.

High on the alpine tundra, while summer plant-life tends to be lush, it is also very small.  Grasses of various kinds grow abundantly, but many species never exceed an inch in height, and those that grow taller rarely extend beyond 6 inches. 

Flowers, while sometimes found in vast, brilliant carpets, are often even smaller. Adaptation has caused this life form to change the way it grows to be able to survive the harsh conditions including the lower level of oxygen and also lower nutrient content in the  soil and higher ultraviolet radiation.

While we understand plants as “breathing in” carbon dioxide and “exhaling” oxygen, they also require oxygen to grow. Oxygen uptake in plants is a function performed by the roots, which also take up the essential nutrients in the soil. 

This “double whammy” of lower levels of essentials (oxygen and nutrients) has led to the plants to develop much larger root systems (relative to the overall plant size) than those found at lower elevations.

Increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly UVB rays, also plays a large role in plant adaptation at high elevations. Higher concentrations of the radiation can cause cellular and DNA damage. 

Plants have adapted to these effects by producing smaller and thicker leaves to reduce exposure. Some plants have also developed waxy coatings on the leaves and stems to help reflect the harmful radiation. One other common adaptation is the increased production of flavonoids, which help absorb and neutralize the radiation.

One of my personal favorites of the wildflowers found on the high tundra is the Old Man of the Mountain, seen in the accompanying photo. It ranks as one of the taller wildflowers found at high elevation, but that esteemed rank still has it growing only as much as 3 - 6 inches in height.

 A type of sunflower, this little beauty shows quite an amazing difference from its cousins found down here and at lower elevations. 

With a nice balance of rain and dry conditions, this year’s wildflower bloom is shaping up to be quite a beautiful display. If the rain persists as it often does in July—traditionally  our “monsoon” season—we might even be blessed with a second or prolonged bloom season. 

At the publication of this article, we will be nearing the wildflower peak, so if you haven’t had a chance to get out to witness these natural fireworks, make sure you don’t miss out on the stunning displays. 

Whether you are enjoying the taller spectacle down here in the foothills, or strolling among the mountain small in the high country, you will not be disappointed.

Information for this article came from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11641277/.

For additional information about James DeWalt Photography, check out https://jamesdewaltphotography.com.