Ecotones in Mountain Environments: Illustrating Sensitive Biogeographical Boundaries with Remotely Sensed Imagery in the Geography Classroom

Abstract

Application of remotely sensed imagery is useful for examining ecosystem response to environmental change. This paper illustrates the utility of satellite images and aerial photography for examining mountain ecotones for biogeographical classroom instruction. Using imagery from Waterton‐Glacier International Peace Park to explore differences in ecotone boundaries, we focused on descriptive physical features found in these special communities: alpine treeline, montane forest/grassland (lower treeline), subalpine meadows, ribbon forest, and avalanche path edges. We determined that differences and similarities in scale, resolution, and spectral properties between satellite and aerial imagery are important in discerning temporal and spatial change of physical features in ecotones. We hope the examples illustrated in this paper will prove useful to teachers as they examine changes in mountain environments.