Purpose Treelines and forest lines (TFLs) have received growing interest in recent decades, due to their potential role as indicators of climate change. However, the understanding of TFL dynamics is challenged by the complex interactions of factors that control TFLs. The review aims to provide an overview over the trends in the elevational dynamics of TFLs in Norway since the beginning of the 20th century, to identify main challenges to explain temporal and spatial patterns in TFL dynamics, and to identify important domains for future research. Method A systematic search was performed using international and Norwegian search engines for peer-Keywords Climate change Á Disturbance Á Mountain birch Á Range changes Á Time lag Á Treeline Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (
Some previous studies showed that the formation of several deep dark humus rich topsoils in Northern Europe was strongly influenced by the application of different organic materials by anthropogenic activities in former times. Such topsoils classified as plaggic Anthrosols also occurred in the Jaeren region in SW Norway. However, source material and formation time of these Plaggic Anthrosols have not yet been clarified. Close to this region we found further humus-rich topsoils in the Karmøy municipality (2 sites at main island of Karmøy and 1 site at Feøy). These soils show a thick humus-rich topsoil up to 30 cm, and their formation cannot only be explained by natural conditions. We analyzed the molecular signature of the soil organic matter (SOM) by benzene polycarboxylic acids (BPCA), non-targeted bulk SOM mass materials and the age of the SOM. The black carbon (BC) contents of the plaggic soils in Jaeren (mean 3.4 g kg-1) deliver clear evidence for inputs of combustion residues from ancient fire management and/or from settlements. The C XANES and Py-FIMS-spectra reveal relative enrichments of aromatic C and heterocyclic N compounds in the plaggic soils corresponding to the BC contents. In contrast, the humus-rich topsoils in Karmøy seem to be unaffected by fire management due to the low BC contents (mean 0.6 g kg-1) and the relative low portions of aromatic C and heterocyclic N compounds from C-XANES and Py-FIMS signature of the SOM ranged from 10.6 to 15.2 ‰ in the soils at the islands and 10.0 to 13.5 ‰ in Jaeren, corresponding to the Anthrosols in complementary archaeological literature implied that the soils in Jaeren and Karmøy have been formed between the Roman Iron Age (500 BC to AD 500) and the Viking Age (AD 800 to AD 1,000). Our results provide strong evidence for an anthropo-pedogenesis of the humus-rich topsoils in Karmøy and indicate parallels to the plaggic soils in Jaeren as well as to Anthrosols in the Baltic Sea region. Therefore, we propose to classify the humus-rich topsoils in Karmøy as Anthrosols. weed = 20 ‰). The AMS 14C dating and *Revision, Unmarked Click here to download Revision, Unmarked: Humus-rich topsoils in SW Norway_Revision, unmarked.doc Humus-rich topsoils in SW Norway-Molecular and isotopic signatures of soil organic matter as indicators for anthropo-pedogenesis
This study aimed at clarifying whether a notable group of soils of the Jaeren region, SW Norway, with deep humus-rich top soils support a man-made genesis. Four sites were investigated. The soils are characterized by thick top soils of 45, 70, 80, and 90 cm, which are enriched in soil organic matter and often also in artifacts, like fragments of potter's clay, indicating an anthropogenic origin. Soil pH ranges from 5.4 to 6.2 (H 2 O) and 4.4 to 5.3 (CaCl 2 ), respectively. Soil organic C (SOC) contents range from 6.4 to 51.6 g kg -1 and N contents vary between 0 and 2.9 g kg -1 . Increased P contents of up to 2,924.3 mg kg -1 total P (P t ) and 1,166.4 mg kg -1 citric acid-soluble phosphorus (P c ) in the humus-rich top soils support the assumption of an anthropogenic influence. Although many characteristics indicate an anthropogenic genesis, one soil lacks the required depth of 50 cm of a plaggen horizon and cannot be classified as Plaggic Anthrosol (WRB) and Plagganthrept (US Soil Taxonomy). As the requirement is 40 cm in the German system, all soils can be classified as Plaggenesch. The formation of these soils is related to human activity aiming at increasing soil fertility and overcoming the need of bedding material, the basic aims of the plaggen management in Europe. Highest P contents ever found for this kind of soils and references from the literature indicate that the formation of the soils in Norway started at Viking time, hence, being older than most other Plaggic Anthrosols.
Centuries of seasonal farming in the Norwegian mountains led to a decrease in forested areas, a lowering of the alpine tree-and forest lines, and an increase in grassland coverage in the subalpine zone. Since the mid-19th century seasonal farming has declined significantly. In the sub-alpine belt, this has resulted in woodland succession on former hay meadows and open grasslands and heathlands. In contrast, vegetation changes caused by seasonal farming and its decline in alpine environments may be comparatively subtle because of unsuitable conditions for tree growth. The study examines vegetation changes in a former mountain summer farming area in the alpine zone of Western Norway using data on present and previous vegetation and old photographs. On curtilages high levels of defoliation, trampling and nutrient accumulation resulted in grass-and herb-dominated vegetation that differs significantly from that of surrounding areas. This curtilage-specific vegetation is persistent and occurs even at locations that have been grazed with only low intensity for several decades. Local concentrations of nutrients are probably a key factor that maintains the grass-dominated vegetation and strongly delays or even prevents regrowth of shrub heath.
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