Corine Land Cover 2000 - Bare Rocks

Quite a large area of Tyrol (over 10%) falls into the category of bare rock. This category defines areas with a level of vegetation of less than 25%. Jutting out mountains above the vegetation line and the accompanying exposure of bare rock only exists in high mountainous regions. In the alpine fringes the bare rock areas begin at an altitude of approx. 2200 m, in the Central Alps at approx. 2800 m., where only in part the bare rock is still covered by glaciers.

Frequent changes in temperature around freezing point as well as a great fluctuation in daytime temperatures lead to frost shattering and temperature weathering which turn the rock into rubble. Only a few pioneer plants, lichens and mosses are able to survive in these conditions.

Land use is limited almost exclusively to tourism. Numerous hiking trails and climbing routes criss-cross the entire region. Here and there are possibilities to stop off for refreshments or spend the night (e.g. mountain huts). The lack of vegetation and the long periods of snow cover offer ideal conditions for winter sports. In former times minerals were frequently mined here.