The diagram compares the distribution of temperature zones by altitude in tropical and temperate mountains.
Overall, it is evident that tropical mountains are significantly higher in elevation compared to temperate mountains. Additionally, tropical mountains have a greater variety of temperature zones.
Looking first at tropical mountains, they reach an altitude of 5,500 meters and are divided into six distinctive zones. At the base ,the warm zone ranges from 0 meters to approximately 600 meters, where many tropical crops are cultivated. The temperate zone is home to coffee and cocos plantations, situated at an altitude from 700 meters to about 1,700 meters. At higher elevations, grains are grown in cool zones, which are located around 2000 meters to precisely 3000 meters above the sea level. In a higher elevation are forest zones, with the height from 3,000 meters to just south of 4,000 meters, where broad-leaf trees can survive. Higher up, from around 4,000 meters to around 4,500 meters, the alpine meadow zone provides favorable conditions for the growth of pine and firs. At the top, the snow line begins, where permanent snow is present.
Turning to the temperate mountain, which is much lower than tropical mountains, which reaches 12,000 feet, it has only four different zones. In temperate mountains, a broader cool zone is found, with an altitude of under 5,000 feet, suitable for general cultivation such as grains, potatoes, and flax. Moving higher, the forest region ranges from roughly 5,000 feet to 6,000 feet, populated by broad-leaf trees, whereas spruce trees are found in alpine meadows at a higher elevation. The mountain peak, located at 12,000 feet ( around 3,600 meters ) , where snow remains throughout the year.