Alpine Meadows

Alpine Meadows. The belt of alpine meadows has important significance in the evaluation and therapeutic application of mountain climatic stations (see). The basic properties of the latter (clean rarefied air, excellent ventilation, abundance of sunlight, moderate humidity) are also inherent to alpine meadows. Phenologically, the alpine meadow zone is characterized by distinctive vegetation: low-growing, sometimes creeping, shrubs, perennial herbaceous plants with short, thick, fluffy leaves. The typical appearance of alpine meadows allows them to be unmistakably recognized even in cases where they are located (due to geographical conditions) at unusually low altitudes: for example, in Siberia, alpine meadows descend from 1,500-2,500 m to 600-700 m above sea level. In these cases, the resortologist is able to, by the typical alpine vegetation (edelweiss, etc.), recognize terrain suitable for a resort. In addition to the aforementioned general climatic advantages, alpine meadows also have their own peculiarities: low evaporation of moisture from plants and richness of the air with aromatic secretions of herbs and flowers. The distinctive landscape of alpine meadows has a considerable influence on the psychological condition of resort patients. Alpine meadows can also be used for agricultural purposes (farms, dairy farming). Among our resorts, the belt of alpine meadows is found on the mountains in Gagra, in Krasnaya Polyana, in Borjomi, and on the tops of the laccoliths of Pyatigorsk-Beshtau and Mashuk.