Mean Wind Patterns and Snow Depths in an Alpine-Subalpine Ecosystem as Measured by Damage to Coniferous Trees

Abstract

Timberline ecotone (TE) generally developed because the temperatures in the environment were too low. There are other overlapping biotic and abiotic factors which affect the TE. The main aim of this work was to determine how the asymmetry of Babia Góra's ridge influences the location and characteristics of the timberline ecotone nowadays, and how the ridge influenced the timberline ecotone in the mid-20th century. The asymmetry of environmental conditions means the timberline has formed in two extreme environments: on the sunny and gentle southern slope (40% of the timberline length) and on the cold, humid, steep northern slope (another 40% of the timberline length). The southern slope of the ridge shows a progressive timberline length of 86%. In turn, 81% of the timberline on the northern slope is in a stable ecotone.

Spatial and temporal variation in damage and dieback in a threatened subantarctic cushion species

“…Dominant wind direction (north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-west, west, north-west) was recorded from the photographs on the basis of the orientations of distortions to vegetation surrounding the target cushion, following Noguchi (1979), Robertson (1987) and Wooldridge et al (1996). We assumed that asymmetry in mosses, herbs and grasses was equivalent to asymmetry in tree crowns.…”

Wind Distortion in Alpine and Subantarctic Plants is Constant among Life Forms but does not Necessarily Reflect Prevailing Wind Direction

“…Our data suggest patterns of distortion in alpine and subantarctic plants, regardless of growth form, do not simply relate to the most frequent strong winds, as is generally the case in other environments (Noguchi, 1979;Hadley and Smith, 1983;Robertson, 1986;Wooldridge et al, 1996), with some exceptions, such as seasonality of winds (Holtmeier, 2009).…”

“…An influence of wind on plant growth form is observable in many plants, including tropical trees (Noguchi, 1979), subalpine conifers (Wooldridge et al, 1996), and grasses (Aston and Bradshaw, 1966). Deformation of trees and shrubs in windy environments is used as an indicator of prevailing wind direction and wind speeds, providing a useful proxy measure in areas lacking in meteorological data or where winds are variable because of complex topography (Noguchi, 1979;Wooldridge et al, 1996).…”

“…Deformation of trees and shrubs in windy environments is used as an indicator of prevailing wind direction and wind speeds, providing a useful proxy measure in areas lacking in meteorological data or where winds are variable because of complex topography (Noguchi, 1979;Wooldridge et al, 1996). However, it is not clear whether non-woody plants give the same indication of variation in wind speed and direction as woody plants, or whether the relationship of distortion to particular parameters of wind regimes is constant between environments.…”

Forest fire in the mountain ranges of north-eastern British Columbia: a historical perspective

“…Where strong winds transport abrasive particles, such as ice crystals, the abrasion of these particles further promotes moisture loss and needle desiccation (Agee 1994;Woolridge et al 1996). The result is a shrub-like, krummholz 2 growth form of the tree.…”