The altitudinal zonation of vegetation observed in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, ranging from sub-tropical scrub forests at lower elevations to alpine meadows above the tree line, is a classic terrestrial example of which geographical principle?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Vertical zonation in mountain environments mirrors latitudinal biome changes, where increasing altitude produces progressive drops in temperature and atmospheric pressure, creating distinct ecological belts from tropical foothills to alpine tundra. Isostasy refers to gravitational equilibrium of the earth's crust. Mountain ecology provides clear visible evidence of temperature-driven biological distribution.