Tree Encroachment Varies by Plant Community in a Large Boreal Peatland Complex in the Boreal-Temperate Ecotone of Northeastern USA

Langdon, Stephen F.; Dovčiak, Martin; Leopold, Donald J.

doi:10.1007/s13157-020-01319-z

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Additionally, burning of ecotones redistributes soil nutrients (Binkley & Fisher, 2019), further enhancing shrub and tree encroachment (Nelson et al., 2021; Shi et al., 2022). Given their proximity to peatlands, expanding ecotonal areas could introduce new seed beds into the peatlands and reduce overall peatland area while enhancing the shape complexity of peatlands (Figure 7; Langdon et al., 2020). Here, we find that ecotones are more responsive to changing conditions (Bhatti et al., 2006; Goud et al., 2018) (Figures 4 and 5) and are greater indicators of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems as these are often the first areas to change, indicated by changing vegetation (Neilson, 1993; Noble, 1993; Peteet, 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this declined as the proportional area of forests surrounding peatlands increases (Figure 8b). This is somewhat counterintuitive, given the potential for the expansion of aspen suckers into peatlands; however, the first 8 years represent only the early phase of post‐fire regeneration, and the influence of the remaining seedbed in peatlands following fire may yet manifest (Ellison & Bedford, 1995; Guêné‐Nanchen et al., 2022; Langdon et al., 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sherwood et al (2013) and Kettridge Turetsky et al (2015) observed greater evapotranspiration rates from fens following fire, resulting in enhanced shrub/vascular vegetation productivity. Bourgeau-Chavez et al ( 2020) also observed lower burn severity in fens, which, when combined with greater evaporative potential, produces conditions favorable for the encroachment of deciduous species (Grzesik et al, 2022;Jones et al, 2022;Langdon et al, 2020;Lukenbach et al, 2017;Moore et al, 2022). However, trait plasticity and adaptability of shrubs to varied environmental conditions, including hydrology, require further assessment (Dabros et al, 2022;Moore et al, 2022;Turetsky et al, 2008).…”

Section: Fire Regime Impacts Early Post-fire Vegetation Succession Wi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shortening fire return interval predisposes west‐central Canadian boreal peatlands to more rapid vegetation growth and transition to forest cover

Jones,

Chasmer,

Devito

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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Climate change in northern latitudes is increasing the vulnerability of peatlands and the riparian transition zones between peatlands and upland forests (referred to as ecotones) to greater frequency of wildland fires. We examined early post‐fire vegetation regeneration following the 2011 Utikuma complex fire (central Alberta, Canada). This study examined 779 peatlands and adjacent ecotones, covering an area of ~182 km2. Based on the known regional fire history, peatlands that burned in 2011 were stratified into either long return interval (LRI) fire regimes of >80 years (i.e., no recorded prior fire history) or short fire return interval (SRI) of 55 years (i.e., within the boundary of a documented severe fire in 1956). Data from six multitemporal airborne lidar surveys were used to quantify trajectories of vegetation change for 8 years prior to and 8 years following the 2011 fire. To date, no studies have quantified the impacts of post‐fire regeneration following short versus long return interval fires across this broad range of peatlands with variable environmental and post‐fire successional trajectories. We found that SRI peatlands demonstrated more rapid vascular and shrub growth rates, especially in peatland centers, than LRI peatlands. Bogs and fens burned in 1956, and with little vascular vegetation (classified as “open peatlands”) prior to the 2011 fire, experienced the greatest changes. These peatlands tended to transition to vascular/shrub forms following the SRI fire, while open LRI peatlands were not significantly different from pre‐fire conditions. The results of this study suggest the emergence of a positive feedback, where areas experiencing SRI fires in southern boreal peatlands are expected to transition to forested vegetation forms. Along fen edges and within bog centers, SRI fires are expected to reduce local peatland groundwater moisture‐holding capacity and promote favorable conditions for increased fire frequency and severity in the future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Fire Regime Impacts Early Post-fire Vegetation Succession Wi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shortening fire return interval predisposes west‐central Canadian boreal peatlands to more rapid vegetation growth and transition to forest cover

Jones,

Chasmer,

Devito

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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“…For instance, recent work illustrates that peatlands provide refuge at the southern range margins of P . mariana distribution (Langdon et al, 2020; Spei & Kashian, 2018). In our data set, boreal peatlands are represented via the ‘wetness rating’ and ‘organic thickness’ static covariates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Boreal peatlands are a notable example of an ecosystem-protected refuge where, in the face of environmental stressors such as severe drought, high water table depths can continue to promote plant growth for specific boreal species (Shur & Jorgenson, 2007;Stralberg et al, 2020). For instance, recent work illustrates that peatlands provide refuge at the southern range margins of P. mariana distribution (Langdon et al, 2020;Spei & Kashian, 2018). In our data set, boreal peatlands are represented via the 'wetness rating' and 'organic thickness' static covariates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Searching for refuge: A framework for identifying site factors conferring resistance to climate‐driven vegetation change

Raiho

Scharf

Roland

et al. 2022

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Climate change is occurring at accelerated rates in high latitude regions such as Alaska, causing alterations in woody plant growth and associated ecosystem patterns and processes. Our aim is to assess the magnitude and speed that climate‐induced changes in woody plant distribution and volume may be reduced and/or slowed by relatively static landscape features like physical characteristics (e.g. depth to gravel, mineral cover percent and slope degree) and/or edaphic properties (e.g. soil organic matter, soil pH and site wetness rating) that resist climate‐vegetation responses. Location We leveraged a large field data set collected across a network of Alaskan national parks, which allows for comprehensive spatial data analysis over a uniquely large spatial extent. Methods To learn about the conditions that may either impede or accelerate vegetation changes in northern Alaska, we used a Bayesian hierarchical model to identify which landscape features may decelerate change or offer refuge for plant species. Our model quantifies the contribution of fast (‘dynamic’) versus slow (‘static’) changing variables to predict plant volume and categorize landscape types into either robust or nonrobust to climate changes. Results We found that two landscape features, low soil wetness and low soil organic matter comprising 63.1% of sites in the data set, were the most likely landscape features to inhibit vegetation expansion. We also found that fewer numbers of sites have the potential to offer refuge to existing plant species (5.43% on average) because few sites had high soil wetness as a landscape feature. Main conclusions Our analyses highlight the importance of incorporating static covariates representing landscape resistance to vegetation change for improving realism in forecasts of vegetation change in Alaska.

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The timing of wood formation in peatland trees as obtained with different approaches

Francon,

Edvardsson,

Corona

et al. 2024

Dendrochronologia

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Tree Encroachment Varies by Plant Community in a Large Boreal Peatland Complex in the Boreal-Temperate Ecotone of Northeastern USA

Cited by 9 publications

References 60 publications

Shortening fire return interval predisposes west‐central Canadian boreal peatlands to more rapid vegetation growth and transition to forest cover

Shortening fire return interval predisposes west‐central Canadian boreal peatlands to more rapid vegetation growth and transition to forest cover

Searching for refuge: A framework for identifying site factors conferring resistance to climate‐driven vegetation change

The timing of wood formation in peatland trees as obtained with different approaches

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