Timberline Reconstruction in Alpes De Haute Provence and Alpes Maritimes, Southern French Alps^∗

Abstract

Owing to very extensive reafforestation efforts in the middle of the last century, high-altitude forests have been reestablished and timberline has been reconstructed in the southern French Alps. The altitudes of the reconstructed timberline and of the natural timberline (where it is still preserved) are found to be comparable. The physical and human conditions affecting timberline are classed according to their relative importance. The main controlling factor is temperature of the growing season. Precipitation, soils, human activity, land ownership, and legal conditions are important secondary factors that influence local variations in timberline.