Local variability in growth and reproduction of Salix arctica in the High Arctic

Polar research

Niels M. Schmidt²  Esther Lévesque³  Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe⁵  Claudia Baittinger⁵ 

[1]Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

[2]Center for Northern Studies, Université Laval, 2405 rue de la Terrasse, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada

[3]Center for Northern Studies, Université Laval, 2405 rue de la Terrasse, Québec G1V 0A6, CanadaCorrespondence

[4]Department of Bioscience Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark

[5]Department of Environmental Sciences Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, Quebec G9A 5H7, Canada

[6]Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science National Museum of Denmark, Frederiksholms Kanal 12, DK-1220 Copenhagen, Denmark

关键词: Herbivory;    nutrient;    plant colonization;    vegetation;    shrub;    water availability.;   

DOI  :  10.3402/polar.v35.24126

学科分类：自然科学（综合）

来源: Co-Action Publishing

【 摘 要 】

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...

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC