The Growth Forms and Ecology of Nothofagus solandri at the Alpine Timberline, Craigieburn Range, New Zealand

Norton, David A.; Schönenberger, Walter

doi:10.2307/1550945

Cited by 43 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…However, the results presented here clearly show the influence of temperature on tree growth at the subalpine forest site. In a dendroclimatological study of Nothofagus solandri trees from similar subalpine forest sites in the Craigieburn Range (Norton 1984) a strong link was found between tree growth and temperature.…”

Section: Jfmam Jj 1981mentioning

confidence: 98%

Phenological growth characteristics ofNothofagus solandritrees at three altitudes in the Craigieburn Range, New Zealand

Norton

1984

New Zealand Journal of Botany

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Section: Jfmam Jj 1981mentioning

confidence: 98%

Phenological growth characteristics ofNothofagus solandritrees at three altitudes in the Craigieburn Range, New Zealand

Norton

1984

New Zealand Journal of Botany

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“…Lauer and Klaus 1975), which itself illustrates that treeline formation cannot universally be associated with a lack of viable diaspores (e.g. Griggs 1946;Oswald 1963;Clausen 1965;Norton and SchoÈ nenberger 1984;Grace and Norton 1990;Marchand 1991). Accordingly, several authors have also reported successful attempts of planting tree seedlings above treeline (e.g.…”

Section: Seedling Establishmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A re-assessment of high elevation treeline positions and their explanation

1998

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In this review I ®rst compile data for the worldwide position of climate-driven alpine treelines. Causes for treeline formation are then discussed with a global perspective. Available evidence suggests a combination of a general thermal boundary for tree growth, with regionally variable``modulatory'' forces, including the presence of certain taxa. Much of the explanatory evidence found in the literature relates to these modulatory aspects at regional scales, whereas no good explanations emerged for the more fundamental global pattern related to temperature per se, on which this review is focused. I hypothesize that the life form``tree'' is limited at treeline altitudes by the potential investment, rather than production, of assimilates (growth as such, rather than photosynthesis or the carbon balance, being limited). In shoots coupled to a cold atmosphere, meristem activity is suggested to be limited for much of the time, especially at night. By reducing soil heat¯ux during the growing season the forest canopy negatively a ects root zone temperature. The lower threshold temperature for tissue growth and development appears to be higher than 3°C and lower than 10°C, possibly in the 5.5±7.5°C range, most commonly associated with seasonal means of air temperature at treeline positions. The physiological and developmental mechanisms responsible have yet to be analyzed. Root zone temperature, though largely unknown, is likely to be most critical.

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“…In sheltered depressions it reaches 6-12 m. On faces and spurs exposed to westerly winds, where trees reach their maximum altitudes, they are stunted, often to < 1 m, with multiple stems rising from massive, gnarlexl bases (Norton & Sch6nenberger 1984).…”

Section: Characteristics Of Sampling Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for rising upper limits of four native New Zealand forest trees

Wardle

Coleman

1992

New Zealand Journal of Botany

113

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Since the 1860s New Zealand mean air temperatures have risen about 0.5~ which might be expected to have led to a rise of about 100 m in altitudinal limits of plants. Four tree species were examined at several South Island localities for evidence of such a rise.Young silver beech plants have established above the upper limit of mature trees, mostly within the last 60 years. However, as beech timberlines are strongly buffered, few of these young plants occur more than 9 m from the forest margin. Above mountain beech timberlines, which lie in drier climates east of the Main Divide, the "advance zone" is usually less than 7 m wide, and does not include the exposed spurs and northerly faces where timberline ascends highest. Above the limit of mature red beech trees, there is a zone in which younger red beech, up to 150 years old, occur through nearly 30 m of altitude. Scanty data for miro suggest a still wider advance zone.The difference between the potential altitudinal rise of upper limits and that which is actually achieved suggests that in the event of rapid and substantial climatic change, species with intrinsically slow rates of spread would be unable to keep pace. Those with narrow environmental ranges could be Received 20August 1991; accepted 23 July 1992 threatened with extinction unless managed so as to assist dispersal and establishment. B91037To substantiate the prima facie findings of this study, transects have been set up to monitor long term future changes.

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The Growth Forms and Ecology of Nothofagus solandri at the Alpine Timberline, Craigieburn Range, New Zealand

Cited by 43 publications

References 11 publications

Phenological growth characteristics ofNothofagus solandritrees at three altitudes in the Craigieburn Range, New Zealand

Phenological growth characteristics ofNothofagus solandritrees at three altitudes in the Craigieburn Range, New Zealand

A re-assessment of high elevation treeline positions and their explanation

Evidence for rising upper limits of four native New Zealand forest trees

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