[Altitude adaptation. Biological problems in the context of the environment]

The following part of the description of adaptation to high altitude describes the geographical specifities of the relevant regions of the world. There are several factors which require an adaptive answer, such as hypoxia, temperature, terrain, nutrition etc. The terms of genetically determined and of individual adaptation are discussed, with special consideration of a duration of settlement in the main altitude regions of about ten thousand years, as well as the principles of adaptation in general, including the phenomenon of maladaptation. The problem of adaptation of animals to high altitude is reviewed in short especially in regard to mammals. The differential fertility proves to be most important in the survival of a species in high altitude as well as the individual adaptability, is the fitness which makes high altitude tolerable to newcomers.