Article

Caucasus and Alps are the highest moutains which pass through Western Eurasia. In this area they are the only mountains with glaciers. Both mountain ranges were glaciated in the glacial period. Glaciers are still existing. Around the Alps on places of former glaciers lakes often determine the aspect of the landscape. The glaciers of the Caucasus did not reach the foreland. Therefore, there are no lakes. The role of conifers is minor in Caucasus. The subalpine zone, which is often specified by Pinus mugo in the Eastern Alps, is more or less specified by Betula in the Caucasus. But there are also many floristic differences, which are not so evident. The article shows some differences by comparison of the two families Ericaceae and Caryophyllaceae.