Tree-Line Structure and Dynamics at the Northern Limit of the Larch Forest: Anabar Plateau, Siberia, Russia

Харук, В. И.; Ranson, K.J.; Im, Sergei T.; Oskorbin, P. A.; Dvinskaya, Maria L.; Ovchinnikov, Dmitriy V.

doi:10.1657/1938-4246-45.4.526

Cited by 44 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…While such studies can be conducted on complete transects from closed forest to the treeline (Camarero and Gutiérrez , Elliott , Kharuk et al. ), also plot‐wise analyses are possible (Caccianiga and Payette , Kharuk et al. , Kirdyanov et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dissimilar responses of larch stands in northern Siberia to increasing temperatures—a field and simulation based study

Wieczorek

Kruse

Epp

et al. 2017

Ecology

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Arctic and alpine treelines worldwide differ in their reactions to climate change. A northward advance of or densification within the treeline ecotone will likely influence climate-vegetation feedback mechanisms. In our study, which was conducted in the Taimyr Depression in the North Siberian Lowlands, w present a combined field- and model-based approach helping us to better understand the population processes involved in the responses of the whole treeline ecotone, spanning from closed forest to single-tree tundra, to climate warming. Using information on stand structure, tree age, and seed quality and quantity from seven sites, we investigate effects of intra-specific competition and seed availability on the specific impact of recent climate warming on larch stands. Field data show that tree density is highest in the forest-tundra, and average tree size decreases from closed forest to single-tree tundra. Age-structure analyses indicate that the trees in the closed forest and forest-tundra have been present for at least ~240 yr. At all sites except the most southerly ones, past establishment is positively correlated with regional temperature increase. In the single-tree tundra, however, a change in growth form from krummholz to erect trees, beginning ~130 yr ago, rather than establishment date has been recorded. Seed mass decreases from south to north, while seed quantity increases. Simulations with LAVESI (Larix Vegetation Simulator) further suggest that relative density changes strongly in response to a warming signal in the forest-tundra while intra-specific competition limits densification in the closed forest and seed limitation hinders densification in the single-tree tundra. We find striking differences in strength and timing of responses to recent climate warming. While forest-tundra stands recently densified, recruitment is almost non-existent at the southern and northern end of the ecotone due to autecological processes. Palaeo-treelines may therefore be inappropriate to infer past temperature changes at a fine scale. Moreover, a lagged treeline response to past warming will, via feedback mechanisms, influence climate change in the future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While most studies in this region focus on the forest enclave at Ary‐Mas or on elevational treelines (Kharuk et al. , , Kirdyanov et al. ), little is known about stand structure changes and their drivers along the broad latitudinal gradient.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dissimilar responses of larch stands in northern Siberia to increasing temperatures—a field and simulation based study

Wieczorek

Kruse

Epp

et al. 2017

Ecology

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“…This increases the difficulty of reducing uncertainty at the plot-scale across broad regions, as trade-offs between the size of plots and the number of plots surveyed are usually made during expensive and time consuming field expeditions. Gaps between field and HRSI WV1 data (~4 years) are not expected to be significant sources of error given the age and relatively slow growth of trees in this area [71][72][73].…”

Section: Spaceborne Canopy Height and Its Sources Of Uncertaintymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Uncertainty of Plot-Scale Forest Height Estimates from Complementary Spaceborne Observations in the Taiga-Tundra Ecotone

et al. 2014

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Satellite-based estimates of vegetation structure capture broad-scale vegetation characteristics as well as differences in vegetation structure at plot-scales. Active remote sensing from laser altimetry and radar systems is regularly used to measure vegetation height and infer vegetation structural attributes, however, the current uncertainty of their spaceborne measurements is likely to mask actual plot-scale differences in vertical structures in sparse forests. In the taiga (boreal forest)-tundra ecotone (TTE) the accumulated effect of subtle plot-scale differences in vegetation height across broad-scales may be significant. This paper examines the uncertainty of plot-scale forest canopy height measurements in northern Siberia Larix stands by combining complementary canopy surface elevations derived from satellite photogrammetry and ground elevations derived from the Geosciences Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) from the ICESat-1 satellite. With a linear model, spaceborne-derived canopy height measurements at the plot-scale predicted TTE stand height ~5 m-~10 m tall (R 2 = 0.55, bootstrapped 95% confidence interval of R 2 = 0.36-0.74) with an uncertainty ranging from ±0.86 m-1.37 m. A larger sample may mitigate the broad uncertainty of the model fit, however, the methodology provides a means for capturing plot-scale canopy height and its uncertainty from spaceborne data at GLAS footprints in

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“…Boreal and temperate forest ecosystems are undergoing transformative changes in the Anthropocene due to increased temperatures (Charney et al., ), with many southern regions experiencing increased tree mortality resulting from droughts (Allen, Breshears, & McDowell, ) and northern and alpine regions undergoing tree‐range expansion and infilling (Harsch, Hulme, McGlone, & Duncan, ). Species range shifts at their northern or upper limits are becoming increasingly prevalent, with latitudinal and elevational range shifts being especially well‐documented across the northern circumboreal (Dufour‐Tremblay, Lévesque, & Boudreau, ; Kharuk et al., ; Mamet & Kershaw, ; Trant & Hermanutz, ), though with colonization lags in some areas (Payette, ; Svenning & Sandel, ). Climate has largely shaped the current configuration of the boreal forest as a mosaic of relict and refuge populations near the boreal range limits since the end of the last glaciation (D'Orangeville et al., ; Wagner, Litt, Sánchez‐Goñi, & Petit, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shifting global Larix distributions: Northern expansion and southern retraction as species respond to changing climate

Mamet

Brown

Trant

et al. 2018

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim Recent and rapid warming is reorganizing terrestrial vegetation, creating novel species assemblages, and shifting range limits. Relative to the evergreen species that currently dominate much of the boreal forest landscape, Larix (larch) distributions may be particularly responsive to climatic change due to their deciduous habit, and quick growth and reproduction. Here, we amassed data from 83 studies to describe and explain observed patterns of Larix range shifts under contemporary climate change. Location Northern hemisphere. Taxon Species of the genus Larix, deciduous gymnosperms. Methods With 181 observations of Larix range limit dynamics, we used five distribution parameters (tree line advance, stand infilling, tree line recession, stand thinning, no response) and their determinants (climate, land use change, natural disturbance) to describe and explain observed patterns of Larix range shifts under contemporary climate change. We ran a redundancy analysis on the matrix of five distribution parameters considered with other climatic and nonclimatic parameters as explanatory variables. We also characterized the climatic niche of Larix species (temperature and precipitation) and how the niche has changed during the 20th century. Results Of 173 sites studied over the full distribution of Larix, 63% experienced Larix population increases, 18% had population decreases, and no response was detected at 19% of sites. Latitudinal Larix tree lines in Siberia and North America appear to be infilling and shifting their distributions northward, whereas Larix recession and thinning was more common in southern regions, suggesting southern populations may be experiencing greater drought stress than their northern counterparts. Climatic niches of most Larix species shifted towards warmer and wetter conditions, with tree line advance/forest infilling in cool/dry climate space, and recession/thinning in warm/dry space. Main conclusions Northern expansion is underway or seems imminent for boreal Larix species, primarily L. laricina in North America. Retraction in southern regions and disappearance of some mountainous populations may be inevitable due to their narrow ecological niches. Species restricted to mountainous habitats may expand locally, though will likely not contribute to broad scale range expansion. These changes will depend on suitable climate, disturbance, and dispersal mechanisms.

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Tree-Line Structure and Dynamics at the Northern Limit of the Larch Forest: Anabar Plateau, Siberia, Russia

Cited by 44 publications

References 30 publications

Dissimilar responses of larch stands in northern Siberia to increasing temperatures—a field and simulation based study

Dissimilar responses of larch stands in northern Siberia to increasing temperatures—a field and simulation based study

The Uncertainty of Plot-Scale Forest Height Estimates from Complementary Spaceborne Observations in the Taiga-Tundra Ecotone

Shifting global Larix distributions: Northern expansion and southern retraction as species respond to changing climate

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