IMPORTANCE OF MOUNTAINS

ANWAR

IntroductionA mountain is a landform that stretches high above the surrounding terrain in a limited area. Mountain usually have steep, sloping sides and sharp or slightly rounded ridges and peaks.Mountain rages are long chains or groups or mountains. Ranges are usually 1000 or more miles long. The rocky mountains and the Himalayan mountains are examples of mountain ranges.

Mountains and rivers

Mountains are places where many rivers begin their sources. Form example, the Himalayan Mountains are the source of the river Ganges. The Treeless Mountains of upper Qinghai are the source of the Yangtze River, the third largest river in the world. The rivers and streams that flow form mountain slopes connect mountain and lowland communities, more than half the world’s population relies on the fresh water that flows from these mountain watersheds.

Mountains ecosystems

Mountains ecosystems are globally important as centers of biological diversity. They compress a wide range of climates and ecosystems into a relatively small area. Mountains include other ecosystem types, such as forests and inland water. For example, Tropical Forests, Subtropical Forests, Temperate And Alpine Forest ecosystems are found more or less parallel to each other across the length of the Himalayan regions

Indian Himalayan region

Indian Himalayan region is a treasure house of biological and cultural diversity. A review of existing information on the Himalayan flora reveals that there are approximately 10,000 species or vascular plants in the Indian Himalayan region, which forms more than 50 percent of the Indian flora.Over 250 mammal species have been described across the IHR, of which 12 are endemic. Around 750 bird species are recorded from across the region, with 20 endemics.It is estimated that there approximately 270 species of fishes in the IHR of which 33 species are endemic.

Mountains and freshwaterMountains play a critical role in the water cycle. High snowy mountains play a central role in collecting and storing the freshwater for settlements, agriculture and industries.Mountains intercept air circulating around the globe and force it upwards where it condenses into clouds, which provide rain and snow. Mountains also store water in various ways, including the formation of snow and ice which is later released as melt-off during warmer periods.

Mountains wood

Wood, or charcoal fuel is one of the energy sources for the mountain settlers or people living in urban centers in the lowlands and on the plains. For example, in Marrakech fuel wood is used by many bakeries; the wood comes from the forests in the Atlas Mountains.