Definitions for alvar
al·var

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Alvar

   An alvar is a biological environment based on a limestone plain with thin or no soil and, as a result, sparse grassland vegetation. Often flooded in the spring, and affected by drought in midsummer, alvars support a distinctive group of prairie-like plants. Most alvars occur either in northern Europe or around the Great Lakes in North America. This stressed habitat supports a community of rare plants and animals, including species more commonly found on prairie grasslands. Lichen and mosses are common species. Trees and bushes are absent or severely stunted. The primary cause of alvars is the shallow exposed bedrock. Flooding and drought, as noted, add to the stress of the site and prevent many species from growing. Disturbance may also play a role. In Europe, grazing is frequent, while in North America, there is some evidence that fire may also prevent encroachment by forest. The habitat also has strong competition gradients, with better competitors occupying the deeper soil and excluding other species to less productive locations. Crevices in the limestone provide a distinctive habitat which is somewhat protected from grazing, and which may provide habitat for unusual ferns such as Pellaea atropurpurea. Bare rock flats provide areas with extremely low competition that serve as refugia for weak competitors such as Minuartia michauxii and Micranthes virginiensis. In a representative set of four Ontario alvars, seven habitat types were described. From deep to shallow soil these were: tall grassy meadows, tall forb-rich meadows, low grassy meadows, low forb-rich meadows, dry grassland, rock margin grassland and bare rock flats.

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ALVAR

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alvar is ranked #82317 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
   
   The Alvar surname appeared 229 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 would have the surname Alvar.
   
   53.2% or 122 total occurrences were White.
   22.7% or 52 total occurrences were Asian.
   18.7% or 43 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
   3.9% or 9 total occurrences were of two or more races.

Anagrams for alvar »

1. larva

2. arval

How to pronounce alvar?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say alvar in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of alvar in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of alvar in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=alvar
2. ^ Surnames Frequency by Census Records
   https://www.census.gov/topics/population/genealogy/data/2010_surnames.html