Snow profile measurements: subnivean habitats
Subnivean habitats are environments of many animals that remain active during the winter. This zone provides protection from predators and insulation from the elements. The subnivean climate is formed by three different types of snow changes: destructive metamorphosis, which begins when snow falls; constructive metamorphosis, the movement of water vapor to the surface of the snowpack; and melt metamorphosis, the melting/sublimation of snow to water vapor and its refreezing in the snowpack. These three types of metamorphosis transform individual snowflakes into ice crystals and create spaces under the snow where small animals can move. Subnivean animals include small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews that must rely on winter snow cover for survival. These mammals move under the snow for protection from heat loss and some predators. The sinuous tunnels left by these small mammals can be seen from above when the snow melts to the final inch or so.
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Subnivean habitats are environments of many animals that remain active during the winter. This zone provides protection from predators and insulation from the elements. The subnivean climate is formed by three different types of snow changes: destructive metamorphosis, which begins when snow falls; constructive metamorphosis, the movement of water vapor to the surface of the snowpack; and melt metamorphosis, the melting/sublimation of snow to water vapor and its refreezing in the snowpack. These three types of metamorphosis transform individual snowflakes into ice crystals and create spaces under the snow where small animals can move. Subnivean animals include small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews that must rely on winter snow cover for survival. These mammals move under the snow for protection from heat loss and some predators. The sinuous tunnels left by these small mammals can be seen from above when the snow melts to the final inch or so.
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