{"id":6190,"date":"2021-12-11T12:56:03","date_gmt":"2021-12-11T11:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.alpineeaglefoundation.org\/?page_id=6190"},"modified":"2022-08-18T16:55:43","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T14:55:43","slug":"flora","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.alpineeaglefoundation.org\/flora\/","title":{"rendered":"A wondrous floral kingdom"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"6190\" class=\"elementor elementor-6190\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d74c2ff elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d74c2ff\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8c61ca3\" data-id=\"8c61ca3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4026225 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4026225\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-49d2c71 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet\" data-id=\"49d2c71\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36ffb75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"36ffb75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"929\" src=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/header-mobile-flora-1024x929.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6384\" alt=\"Rosy crocuses, behind which are alpine peaks and the rising sun.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/header-mobile-flora-1024x929.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/header-mobile-flora-300x272.jpg 300w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/header-mobile-flora-768x697.jpg 768w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/header-mobile-flora-600x544.jpg 600w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/header-mobile-flora.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0f9f892 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0f9f892\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fe73210\" data-id=\"fe73210\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53bef0d elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"53bef0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                            <h1 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                                             <span>A wondrous floral kingdom<\/span>\n                                        <\/h1>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0b28976 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0b28976\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b9ebbed\" data-id=\"b9ebbed\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f8841a elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"7f8841a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                                <div class=\"wildworld_up_heading\">\n                                                    <div class=\"wildworld_up_heading_marker wildworld_marker_left\"><\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n                                    <h3 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                     <span><\/span>                <\/h3>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-62c58c69 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"62c58c69\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-389db7e8\" data-id=\"389db7e8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-38e80e4\" data-id=\"38e80e4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-755b3259 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"755b3259\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                                <div class=\"wildworld_up_heading\">\n                        Survival of the fittest                    <\/div>\n                                    <h3 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                    A hostile <span>land<\/span>                <\/h3>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1893d6ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1893d6ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The uniqueness of Alpine flora stems from the variety of habitats in the Alps and the &#8220;harsh&#8221; environmental conditions that drive species to change and adapt. While the areas above the tree line may look hostile and barren, they contain an incredible collection of microhabitats where biodiversity flourishes. Plants above the forest line, for example, have evolved different growth forms that allow them to survive harsh winds and cold winters. Six hundred species of flowering plants are found exclusively in the Alps or have their primary range there. Of about 4,500 vascular plant species in the Alps, nearly 8% are endemic, occurring in the Alps and nowhere else in the world.<\/p><p>Differences in elevation and climate in the Alps result in diverse vegetation. While these zones generally have remained intact, global warming has caused an upward migration of plants since the early 1900s and Austrian researchers have estimated that the upper limits of Alpine plant species rose approximately three feet during each decade of the 20th century. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5178930a\" data-id=\"5178930a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3e25a6b elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3e25a6b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f1ff34\" data-id=\"3f1ff34\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0de28c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a0de28c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>residents in the Alps<br \/><br \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d6d3dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"7d6d3dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\">+<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"1000\" data-to-value=\"14\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">mil.<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-804dd19\" data-id=\"804dd19\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-145aa70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"145aa70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>annual visitors<br \/><br \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e499ce3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"e499ce3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\">+<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"1500\" data-to-value=\"120\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">mil.<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-572eae4\" data-id=\"572eae4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9ee9f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c9ee9f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>decrease in glacier volume <br \/>since 1850<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3d59d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"d3d59d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"2000\" data-to-value=\"60\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c5ea072 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c5ea072\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e86ae82\" data-id=\"e86ae82\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1ad86b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b1ad86b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>residents in the Alps<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21ea9b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"21ea9b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\">+<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"1000\" data-to-value=\"14\" data-from-value=\"0\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">mil.<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b03e35\" data-id=\"0b03e35\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-015706c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"015706c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>annual visitors<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dad1fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"4dad1fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\">+<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"1500\" data-to-value=\"120\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">mil.<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eb72d8d\" data-id=\"eb72d8d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b9a3d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8b9a3d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>decrease in glacier volume since 1850<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c4767e elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"4c4767e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"2000\" data-to-value=\"60\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4e9bd51 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-phone elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4e9bd51\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-32806f7\" data-id=\"32806f7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38b81b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"38b81b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Different plants species<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9d1e34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"c9d1e34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\">+<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"1000\" data-to-value=\"30000\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-52834f4\" data-id=\"52834f4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea506f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ea506f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Species of flowering plants<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c0f7b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"3c0f7b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\">+<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"1500\" data-to-value=\"600\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a84f581\" data-id=\"a84f581\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d65d560 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d65d560\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Are endemic plant species<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22d715f elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"22d715f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"2000\" data-to-value=\"8\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a9f33f0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a9f33f0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-31b266b\" data-id=\"31b266b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0ab7960\" data-id=\"0ab7960\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-328da1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"328da1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Mediterranean vegetation dominates in the southern parts of the Maritime Alps and the southern Italian Alps, with maritime pine, palm, sparse woodland, and agave and prickly pear all in evidence.<\/p><p>There exists a distance of about 900 metres above the tree line and below the permanent snow line which has been eroded by glaciation and is covered with lush Alpine meadows in places where in sheep and cows grazeduring the summer. These distinctive mountain pastures are called alpages, but the spread of invasive weeds, pollution from animal wastes, and erosion from ski-related development today limits their carrying capacity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d81cd7c\" data-id=\"d81cd7c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c65ec56 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c65ec56\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-895e172\" data-id=\"895e172\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18caeec elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"18caeec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"955\" src=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dsk_bkg_flora.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6201\" alt=\"Wild bushes with pink flowers covering the top of a hill, with the sun setting over the moutains in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dsk_bkg_flora.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dsk_bkg_flora-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dsk_bkg_flora-1024x509.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dsk_bkg_flora-768x382.jpg 768w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dsk_bkg_flora-1536x764.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/dsk_bkg_flora-600x298.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-77a590e elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"77a590e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-606c641\" data-id=\"606c641\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0eabad elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"d0eabad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                            <h3 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                                             <span>A hidden wonderland<\/span>\n                                        <\/h3>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa8a339 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aa8a339\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong style=\"color: #3f525e;\">As glaciers melt, they leave behind unstable, stony ground, with zero nutrients. Yet specially adapted plants manage to colonise this apparently inhospitable terrain. Mosses move in first, producing a thin layer of humus when they die, which gives the saxifrages and toadflaxes a chance to take root. The greatest problem for these pioneers is not so much the lack of nutrients as the constantly moving ground.<\/strong><\/p><p>To protect themselves, even the tiniest plants anchor themselves with roots that can grow up to a metre deep. Thanks to this underground network, the plant is able to sprout new shoots if it finds itself engulfed by rolling stones. Some plants are small and grow in the form of flat cushions, rosettes, or carpets to protect themselves from wind and to resist the pressure of heavy snow layers. The dwarf willow, one of the world&#8217;s smallest trees, keeps its trunk below the surface, leaving just a few small branches poking out. Not only does this strange way of growing keep it warm, but also shelters it from the wind.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-575db84 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"575db84\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f69f560\" data-id=\"f69f560\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e08d72 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7e08d72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"840\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_plant.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6228\" alt=\"An alpine valley in summer, covered with wild flowers.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_plant.jpg 840w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_plant-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_plant-768x562.jpg 768w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_plant-600x439.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-854879d\" data-id=\"854879d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55ba2f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"55ba2f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                            <h3 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                                             <span>Plant<br>survival<br>mechanism<\/span>\n                                        <\/h3>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1ea67b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e1ea67b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Plants that share their habitat with grazing animals run the risk of being eaten before they have had time to reproduce so evolution has equipped some species with powerful defensive weapons. Some have tough, prickly leaves, which alpine ruminants tend not to like too much and therefore increase the life span of the plant and boost its chances of being able to reproduce. Another life-limiting problem faced by alpine plants are heavy hooves. To avoid being trampled, some delicate plants like orchids only grow close to rocks or cliffs. Other tender plants have strong root systems which help them withstand an assault by ravenous beasts.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-daa2894 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"daa2894\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f87ab74\" data-id=\"f87ab74\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7457a90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"7457a90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                            <h3 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                                             <span>Beautiful<br>Alpine<br>meadows<\/span>\n                                        <\/h3>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8690260 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8690260\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p>The bright colours of alpine meadow flowers are vital to their survival and reproduction. Firstly, the pigments they contain protect them from the intense ultraviolet rays found at high altitude. Secondly, their bright colours attract swarms of honey and bumble bees during spring. Without the help of these pollinators, the flowers would not be able to reproduce.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-66ae1d7\" data-id=\"66ae1d7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbfd9d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bbfd9d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"840\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_meadows.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6222\" alt=\"A colourful alpine meadow in summer, with lots of wild flowers and a tiny lake in front of alpine summits.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_meadows.jpg 840w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_meadows-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_meadows-768x562.jpg 768w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_meadows-600x439.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-299be04 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"299be04\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f1ce86e\" data-id=\"f1ce86e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60d348b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"60d348b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"841\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_edelweiss.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6249\" alt=\"A close-up of an Edelweiss, on a steep hill\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_edelweiss.jpg 841w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_edelweiss-300x219.jpg 300w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_edelweiss-768x562.jpg 768w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_edelweiss-600x439.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 841px) 100vw, 841px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fb7da65\" data-id=\"fb7da65\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46f0bde elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"46f0bde\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                            <h3 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                                             <span>The most<br>famous<br>flower of all<\/span>\n                                        <\/h3>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19353a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"19353a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Scientists believe that the edelweiss flower migrated from Asia to the Alps during the Ice Age. Today, it can be found in many Alpine countries at high altitudes (2,000 to 3,000 metres), blooming from July to September on exposed limestone rocks as well as at the edge of meadows. Every part of the flower is designed to withstand extreme weather, from the wind-resistant underground stems to its hairy bracts which prevent evapotranspiration and block UV rays. Today, the edelweiss not only represents a connection to the nature and beauty of Switzerland but is a hallmark of Swiss quality<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dc01ef4 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dc01ef4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-686e427\" data-id=\"686e427\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9a9f62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"f9a9f62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                            <h3 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                                             <span>And the<br>hardiest...<\/span>\n                                        <\/h3>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47d8e3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"47d8e3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Plants growing on rock faces have developed various strategies to deal with water shortage. Some are covered in hairs, which deflect the sun&#8217;s rays and also form a protective layer that locks in moisture. Others have a waxy coating, which serves the same purpose. Succulents store water in their thick leaves and many of them form rosettes so that the leaves shade each other. Another set of plants increase their chances of withstanding drought by growing no more than a few centimetres tall. Their lack of height also protects from the dry winds. And while edelweiss may be the most famous Alpine flower, the purple saxifrage, which has been spotted at altitudes as high as 4,500m, is the hardiest.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c25ae4f\" data-id=\"c25ae4f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a801d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7a801d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"840\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_hardiest.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6255\" alt=\"An alpine valley in Autumn, all reddish-orange in colours.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_hardiest.jpg 840w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_hardiest-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_hardiest-768x562.jpg 768w, https:\/\/3.69.228.97\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_hardiest-600x439.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d649fb elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"1d649fb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation_mobile&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fdec627\" data-id=\"fdec627\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e22e30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"3e22e30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                            <h3 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                                             <span>Support us<\/span>\n                                        <\/h3>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e5c300 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7e5c300\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Help us to help the Alps and all its magnificent biodiversity by making a donation today.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c84d229 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_button\" data-id=\"c84d229\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_button_widget\">\n            <div class=\"wildworld_button_container\">\n                <a class=\"wildworld_button wildworld_button--primary\" href=\"https:\/\/donation.alpineeaglefoundation.org\/b\/my-donation\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to make a donation<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5237108\" data-id=\"5237108\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1197e70 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"1197e70\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation_mobile&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cbcce5f\" data-id=\"cbcce5f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ca8e48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_heading\" data-id=\"1ca8e48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_heading_widget\">\n                            <h3 class=\"wildworld_heading\">\n\n                                             <span>Support us<\/span>\n                                        <\/h3>\n                        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54bebf6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"54bebf6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Help us to help the Alps and all its magnificent biodiversity by making a donation today.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f124ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-wildworld_button\" data-id=\"7f124ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wildworld_button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"wildworld_button_widget\">\n            <div class=\"wildworld_button_container\">\n                <a class=\"wildworld_button wildworld_button--primary\" href=\"https:\/\/donation.alpineeaglefoundation.org\/b\/my-donation\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to make a donation<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-737b477\" data-id=\"737b477\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The uniqueness of Alpine flora stems from the variety of habitats in the Alps and the &#8220;harsh&#8221; environmental conditions that drive species to change and adapt. While the areas above the tree line may look hostile and barren, they contain an incredible collection of microhabitats where biodiversity flourishes. Plants above the forest line, for example, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6192,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6190","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A wondrous floral kingdom - Alpine Eagle Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The uniqueness of Alpine flora stems from the variety of habitats in the Alps and the harsh environmental conditions...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A wondrous floral kingdom - Alpine Eagle Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The uniqueness of Alpine flora stems from the variety of habitats in the Alps and the \u201charsh\u201d environmental conditions that drive species to change and adapt.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.alpineeaglefoundation.org\/flora\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Alpine Eagle Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-08-18T14:55:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/alpineeaglefoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_meadows.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"840\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"615\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"A wondrous floral kingdom - Alpine Eagle Foundation\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"The uniqueness of Alpine flora stems from the variety of habitats in the Alps and the \u201charsh\u201d environmental conditions that drive species to change and adapt.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.alpineeaglefoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/bloc_meadows.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.alpineeaglefoundation.org\/flora\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.alpineeaglefoundation.org\/flora\/\",\"name\":\"A wondrous floral kingdom - 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