The only biome that is found in Glacier National Park is the alpine tundra. The alpine tundra is not a biome that stretches across large expanses of terrain like other biomes. This biome is not restricted to certain latitudes like other biomes. It is not determined by temperature. As well, it can be found at any latitude on earth and is only dependent on elevation. Alpine areas are unique because of the severity and complexity of their environmental conditions. Very small changes in topography may mean changes in the ecosystem. Between these extremes of drought and saturation, several environments may exist close to each other. Alpine vegetation generally occurs in a mosaic with widely differing environmental conditions. Vegetation types vary from cushion and rosette plants on the ridges and in the rock crannies-- to herbaceous and grassy vegetation along the slopes; dwarf shrubs with grasses and forbs below the melting snowdrifts; and sedges, grasses, low shrubs, and mosses in the bogs and along the brooks.
The alpine tundra is not a homogeneous zone where plants have equal opportunity to grow. Small changes in elevation in this zone and patches of snow and rock create micro-habitats where different species of plant and animal can specialize. For instance, a small depression on the ground might decrease sun and wind intensity causing snow to accumulate. Snowbanks are hard places for plants to grow because areas where snow builds up decreases the already short-growing season. Therefore, small elevation changes that increase light intensity might be just enough for small plants to stay alive and healthy.
The alpine tundra is not a homogeneous zone where plants have equal opportunity to grow. Small changes in elevation in this zone and patches of snow and rock create micro-habitats where different species of plant and animal can specialize. For instance, a small depression on the ground might decrease sun and wind intensity causing snow to accumulate. Snowbanks are hard places for plants to grow because areas where snow builds up decreases the already short-growing season. Therefore, small elevation changes that increase light intensity might be just enough for small plants to stay alive and healthy.