Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High Arctic
Arctic terrestrial ecosystems are heterogeneous because of the strong influences of microtopography, soil moisture and snow accumulation on vegetation distribution. The interaction between local biotic and abiotic factors and global climate patterns will influence species responses to climate change...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Norwegian Polar Institute
2016-06-01
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| Series: | Polar Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/24126/47415 |
| _version_ | 1819034733703593984 |
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| author | Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe Esther Lévesque Claudia Baittinger Niels M. Schmidt |
| author_facet | Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe Esther Lévesque Claudia Baittinger Niels M. Schmidt |
| author_sort | Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Arctic terrestrial ecosystems are heterogeneous because of the strong influences of microtopography, soil moisture and snow accumulation on vegetation distribution. The interaction between local biotic and abiotic factors and global climate patterns will influence species responses to climate change. Salix arctica (Arctic willow) is a structuring species, ubiquitous and widespread, and as such is one of the most important shrub species in the High Arctic. In this study, we measured S. arctica reproductive effort, early establishment, survival and growth in the Zackenberg valley, north-east Greenland. We sampled four plant communities that varied with respect to snow conditions, soil moisture, nutrient content and plant composition. We found large variability in reproductive effort and success with total catkin density ranging from 0.6 to 66 catkins/m2 and seedling density from <1 to 101 seedlings/m2. There were also major differences in crown area increment (4–23 cm2/year) and stem radial growth (40–74 µm/year). The snowbed community, which experienced a recent reduction in snow cover, supported young populations with high reproductive effort, establishment and growth. Soil nutrient content and herbivore activity apparently did not strongly constrain plant reproduction and growth, but competition by Cassiope tetragona and low soil moisture may inhibit performance. Our results show that local environmental factors, such as snow accumulation, have a significant impact on tundra plant response to climate change and will affect the understanding of regional vegetation response to climate change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:38:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-66282e9cb8664c9c963a63364c0cbf8f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1751-8369 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:38:26Z |
| publishDate | 2016-06-01 |
| publisher | Norwegian Polar Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polar Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-66282e9cb8664c9c963a63364c0cbf8f2022-12-21T19:11:23ZengNorwegian Polar InstitutePolar Research1751-83692016-06-0135011110.3402/polar.v35.2412624126Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High ArcticNoémie Boulanger-Lapointe0Esther Lévesque1Claudia Baittinger2Niels M. Schmidt3Department of Environmental Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, Quebec G9A 5H7, CanadaDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, Quebec G9A 5H7, CanadaEnvironmental Archaeology and Materials Science, National Museum of Denmark, Frederiksholms Kanal 12, DK-1220 Copenhagen, DenmarkDepartment of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, DenmarkArctic terrestrial ecosystems are heterogeneous because of the strong influences of microtopography, soil moisture and snow accumulation on vegetation distribution. The interaction between local biotic and abiotic factors and global climate patterns will influence species responses to climate change. Salix arctica (Arctic willow) is a structuring species, ubiquitous and widespread, and as such is one of the most important shrub species in the High Arctic. In this study, we measured S. arctica reproductive effort, early establishment, survival and growth in the Zackenberg valley, north-east Greenland. We sampled four plant communities that varied with respect to snow conditions, soil moisture, nutrient content and plant composition. We found large variability in reproductive effort and success with total catkin density ranging from 0.6 to 66 catkins/m2 and seedling density from <1 to 101 seedlings/m2. There were also major differences in crown area increment (4–23 cm2/year) and stem radial growth (40–74 µm/year). The snowbed community, which experienced a recent reduction in snow cover, supported young populations with high reproductive effort, establishment and growth. Soil nutrient content and herbivore activity apparently did not strongly constrain plant reproduction and growth, but competition by Cassiope tetragona and low soil moisture may inhibit performance. Our results show that local environmental factors, such as snow accumulation, have a significant impact on tundra plant response to climate change and will affect the understanding of regional vegetation response to climate change.http://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/24126/47415Herbivorynutrientplant colonizationvegetationshrubwater availability. |
| spellingShingle | Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe Esther Lévesque Claudia Baittinger Niels M. Schmidt Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High Arctic Polar Research Herbivory nutrient plant colonization vegetation shrub water availability. |
| title | Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High Arctic |
| title_full | Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High Arctic |
| title_fullStr | Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High Arctic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High Arctic |
| title_short | Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High Arctic |
| title_sort | local variability in growth and reproduction of salix arctica in the high arctic |
| topic | Herbivory nutrient plant colonization vegetation shrub water availability. |
| url | http://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/24126/47415 |
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