The Alps, A Natural Companion 2nd Edition

Index

conservation 148, 154 faulting 32, 34, 50, 114, 119, 125
continental collisions 8, 16, 21, 30, 32, 37, 38, �lavonoids 148–149
Flims 51–53, 73, 74
42, 46, 93, 116 �looding 52, 54, 55
continental crust 17, 19, 22, 23 �lower structures 156–157
continental plate 17, 18, 23 �lysch 27, 36, 37, 38, 40, 44, 56, 57, 108, 117,
continental rocks 22, 23, 100, 101
continental seas 28, 30, 45, 88, 101, 116 293, 296
continental shelf 23, 24, 26 Rhenodanubian 117
convection currents 17 folding 8, 30, 31, 32–33, 34, 39, 44, 45, 47, 48,
crevasse 64
cryptogams 133 89, 91, 92, 98, 110, 111, 120, 275, 285,
crystalline rocks. See ancient crystalline rocks 289
cushion plants 132 formation (alpine) 82–83, 86–87, 88–90,
101–102, 108, 110–111, 114–117,
D 120–121, 122, 124
French Alps 8, 45, 61, 79–94, 279, 285
deep zone 18, 46
detachment layer 35, 93 G
distribution (of plants) 128, 129, 130, 137
diversity (of plants) 75, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, gabbro 102
geography 11–14, 85
133, 143 gipfel�lur. See area of similar summit heights
dolines 91, 125 glacial features 64–65, 84–85, 87, 90, 98–99,
dolomite 26, 93, 94, 106, 107, 115, 121, 122,
103–104, 107, 117, 122
124, 253, 265 glacial lakes 67, 90, 257, 281
Dolomites 15, 26, 27, 121, 122, 140, 256, 257, glacial melting 14, 49, 50, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 73
glacial retreat 66–69, 74, 75, 84, 99, 104, 130, 255
258, 259, 261 glacial scratches 69
drought 133, 139, 143 glacier 9, 49, 53, 54, 58, 59, 60–63, 64, 65, 66,
dwarf shrubs 131, 135, 145
67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 75, 84, 90, 92, 96, 98,
E 103, 104, 105, 106, 117, 122, 255, 261,
263, 267, 273, 287, 294, 296, 297
earth pyramid 73 ablation zone 60; accumulation zone 60;
East Alpine realm 28, 30, 31, 39, 42, 45, 101, Aletsch 60, 61, 98, 273; Gorner 67, 101,
103, 104; Morteratsch 69
114, 115, 116, 120 Glarus Main Thrust 37, 38
Eastern Alps 13, 19, 28, 30, 31, 39, 40, 42, 45, global warming. See climate change
glycosides 148, 151
47, 48, 53, 73, 106, 113–118, 263 gneiss 19, 47, 81, 82, 83, 87, 96, 97, 102, 103,
Écrins massif 86–87, 292, 293 108, 140, 273, 296, 298
Eiger 64, 65, 95, 96, 98, 272, 273, 275, 277 Gondwana 22, 24, 28, 29
endemism 129, 154 granite 19, 20, 21, 33, 46, 47, 81, 82, 83, 86, 96,
environment (alpine) 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 102, 108, 140, 273, 287, 295, 296, 297,
298
132, 133, 138, 142, 145, 146, 154, 155 Gran Paradiso 12, 80, 286, 287
erosion 16, 18, 20, 23, 24, 27, 38, 39, 41, 42, 49, grasses 76, 132, 135, 138, 141, 145
Grindelwald 14, 95–99, 272, 273, 274, 275
49–50, 50, 73, 87, 89, 90, 91, 98, 102, Grossglockner 40, 117, 118, 255
106, 110, 111, 117, 125, 146, 263, 265 gypsum 20, 25, 34, 93, 94, 253, 289
essential oils 148, 149, 150
European continent 8, 16, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, 31, H
42, 48, 93, 97, 100, 110, 115, 116, 120
evaporites 20, 24, 25, 93, 110, 121, 289 habitat 74, 75, 127, 132, 143, 144–146, 154, 155
extinction 130

F

Faulhorn massif 21, 34, 97, 98, 273, 275

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The stunning natural beauty of the Alps makes this range of
mountains one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations.
Written in straightforward language for those with little or no prior knowledge, this book
helps visitors to appreciate the natural world around them, providing a guide to the geology
and the owers of Europe’s Alpine mountains.

GEOLOGY
Discover how rocks were created and thrust upwards to make the massive Alpine
mountain range, and how the mountains were shaped by ice and other agents of erosion
into the landscapes we see today.
Scores of stunning photographs, along with clear maps and diagrams, help to convey
the exciting story of the Alpine mountains and valleys.

FLOWERS
Learn about distinctive and beautiful Alpine species, how and where they grow, and how
they have been used by mankind for thousands of years.
Identify more than 300 Alpine owers and plants with the easy-to-use, colour-coded
ower identi cation guide.

WALKS
Explore the fascinating landscape of the Alps with 23 varied walks across France, Italy,
Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

The Alps, A Natural Companion www.oxfordalpineclub.uk