Mount Kilimanjaro is a striking region for growth and vegetation. Considered an "island in the sky" by many, it is unique in its ability to sustain life with plants that are able to inhabit diverse climate conditions. Kilimanjaro offers nearly perfect symmetry with five distinct regions of vegetation that all take up approximately the same area of the mountainous region as a whole. These regions invite creatures of different sizes and tastes to grow stronger year round. They are: The grassland: The lower zone of Kilimanjaro accounts for about 20 percent of the area's overall vegetation. It feeds and nourishes many creatures of varying sizes. From the great wildebeests to the smallest species of birds and insects, there are rich and abundant possibilities for life with no discrimination towards size, strength or ferocity. The forests: Forested lands have all the other areas of the region beat in size, but only by a shade. Comprising 21 percent of Kilimanjaro's vegetation, this below alpine area is capable of housing many woodland creatures that thrive on its cover of safety and its many nutrients. Home to many traditional plants that can survive in cool to hot weather conditions, life is more abundant in this area. Shrubs and slim trees: Many larger creatures enjoy the growth of shrubbery that Kilimanjaro offers for grazing purposes. While this area of vegetation is the least abundant of the five at only 19 percent, it still offers many culinary choices for creatures such as elephants and wildebeests. Alpine desert: The colder area above the tree line and surrounding the summit is the alpine desert, which comprises approximately 20 percent of the overall surface area for the mountain. While it is not as animal friendly as the previous three areas, it does have a few vegetation features, which help to sustain the delicate ecosystem. These include the fungi-friendly lichens, which are rich in nutrients and require little hydration for survival. The summit: The last 20 percent of vegetation on Kilimanjaro is found at the summit, or top of the mountain. This area welcomes arctic plants that are capable of accelerated growth and sustained hibernation without affecting lifespan. While they are not the kind of vegetation that can keep low-lying creatures alive, much can be learned from their metabolic rate and resiliency. Scientists have barely cracked their mysteries, and with disappearing glaciers due to climate change, alternative solutions to current resources could prove valuable ahead. You've heard it said that "it takes all kinds." The vegetation on Kilimanjaro exemplifies this old adage and allows many different forms of life to thrive in widely varying conditions. From the grasslands to the forests, the alpine desert to the summit, this mountain teaches a lesson in tolerance by the way that it opens itself to all forms of life.
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