Notes on Wind and its Effects in Arctic-Alpine Vegetation

Wilson, J. Warren

doi:10.2307/2257374

Cited by 62 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…We chose these traits as they are generally correlated with resource availability and tolerance to environmental conditions. Plant height is often allometrically related to overall plant size (biomass, rooting depth, lateral spread) and competitive interactions for light (Westoby 1998, Aan et al 2006, Vojtech et al 2008 as well as facilitative interactions by blocking wind (Wilson 1959). Specific leaf area is associated with leaf life span and tissue N (Reich et al 1997) and with an allocation strategy including fast relative growth rate and high photosynthetic capacity per unit leaf area (Westoby et al 2002).…”

Section: Trait Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in alpine vegetation over 21 years: Are patterns across a heterogeneous landscape consistent with predictions?

et al. 2013

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Abstract. One significant unanswered question about biotic responses to climate change is how plant communities within topographically complex landscapes will respond to climate change. Alpine plant communities are strongly influenced by topographic microclimates which can either buffer or compound the effects of more regional climatic changes. Here, we analyzed species changes over 20þ years in a complex alpine landscape with pronounced gradients in microtopography and consequently large variation in temperatures, snow depths, and nitrogen availability across small (10 m) scales. Using data from long-term monitoring plots from six community types, we asked how species composition and functional diversity changed over time in these different areas of the landscape, and whether fine-scale heterogeneity allowed species to move in response to temporal changes in the environment. We found sitewide patterns of increasing species and functional diversity. However, the majority of variability in composition over time was non-directional, both within and between community types. Within community types, Carex-dominated snow banks and wet meadow communities were the most variable in composition over time, while Sibbaldia-dominated snow banks, fellfield, dry meadow and moist meadow exhibited moderate change. Over forty percent of the plots also transitioned between community types during the census intervals, but these also were largely transient, with a shift occurring in one time interval and then shifting back in the next interval. Thus, even with evidence of directional change over time in climate, N deposition, and release from grazing, vegetation is tracking finer-scale variability both in time and space. Environmental heterogeneity may allow vegetation to track this finer-scale variability and enhance resilience to underlying directional changes in alpine and other topographically-complex environments.

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Section: Trait Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in alpine vegetation over 21 years: Are patterns across a heterogeneous landscape consistent with predictions?

et al. 2013

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“…In this study, the maximum tree height decreased sharply near the timberline, and this decrease corresponded with the occurrence of mechanical damage of trunks and branches. Okitsu and Ito (1989) reported that Wind velocity is considerably high in high altitudes, which causes the mechanical damages trees by winter desiccation (Warren Wilson 1959;Smith 1983, 1986). alpine dwarf pine Pinus pumila dominates above the timberline.…”

Section: Miyajima and Takahashi 10mentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes with altitude of the stand structure of temperate forests on Mount Norikura, central Japan

Miyajima

Takahashi

2007

Journal of Forest Research

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However, the proportion of damaged trees increased from 2000 m to 2500 m a.s.l., suggesting thatsubalpine conifers cannot grow in height near the timberline due to mechanical damage. Therefore, the increase number of small trees from 2000 m a.s.l. to the timberline was to less developed canopy structure, i.e., small trees can grow without shading by canopy trees. This study suggests that the timberline formation.

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“…Wind affects the net assimilation and shoot growth rates of plants by reducing the leaf temperature (Warren Wilson 1959). Since wind speed is drastically reduced near ground level, low plant height is an advantageous form in windy places (Warren Wilson 1959;Bliss 1966 Mooney & Billings 1960;Wijk 1986b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since wind speed is drastically reduced near ground level, low plant height is an advantageous form in windy places (Warren Wilson 1959;Bliss 1966 Mooney & Billings 1960;Wijk 1986b). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance and phenology of alpine herbs along a snow‐melting gradient

Kudo

1992

Ecological Research

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Responses of plants to the length of the growing season were studied in an alpine snow-bed by setting five plots along a snow-melting gradient. Performance and phenology were compared between the plots for five herbaceous species (Peucedanum multivittatum, Primula cuneifolia, Veronica stelleri var. longistyla, Solidago virga-aurea var. leiocarpa and Potentilla matsumurae). Performance characteristics measured were flower height, leaf height, leaf number, flower number and fruit number. In the late exposed plots with short snow-free periods, fruit-set was reduced in many species due to the decrease in flower number and/or the short growing season for fruit development. Veronica stelleri var. longistyla and Solidago virga-aurea var. leiocarpa, which decreased in flower and leaf numbers due to the short snow-free period, were sensitive to the short growing season. Peucedanum multivittatum was vigorous in the late exposed plots, but its slow flowering and fruiting prevented the fruit-set from developing in the last exposed plot.Primula cumeifolia and Potentilla matsumurae, quick flowering species that maintained their flower number throughout the snow-melting gradient, were considered the most successful species in late exposed habitats.

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Notes on Wind and its Effects in Arctic-Alpine Vegetation

Cited by 62 publications

References 10 publications

Changes in alpine vegetation over 21 years: Are patterns across a heterogeneous landscape consistent with predictions?

Changes in alpine vegetation over 21 years: Are patterns across a heterogeneous landscape consistent with predictions?

Changes with altitude of the stand structure of temperate forests on Mount Norikura, central Japan

Performance and phenology of alpine herbs along a snow‐melting gradient

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