Alters- und Höhengliederung der Karren in den Nördlichen Kalkalpen

Clints are corrasional features with rock inclined to develop karstic forms which originated by the directed run-off of flowing water. The most typical and far spread features occur in the Northern Calcareous Alps where they are marked by their optimum distribution within the former glaciated areas. With few exceptions, the clints occurring in the Alps are recent. Their age can be established as Late- to Post-Glacial. On the whole the karstic features extend from the highest summits deep down into the valleys but a zone of most extensive distribution occurs between 1900–2000 m and 1200–1300 m. The upper limit is controlled by mechanical weathering, the lower limit by the variation of the conditions of run-off below the soil and vegetation cover. As to ecology the total clint zone can be divided into two areas:

1. The zone of free development of the karst (sharp edged features) and
2. The zone of subcutaneous karst development (rounded features).

With the formation of the clints the rock acts as modifying factor, but the real forming is controlled only by free run-off conditions.