The role of thresholds and fine-scale processes in driving upper treeline dynamics in the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
This research investigates whether abrupt changes indicative of a threshold response occurred in the spatial and temporal patterns of tree establishment within upper treeline ecotones in the Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming, with a particular focus on assessing whether treeline advance occurred. Dendroecological techniques were used to reconstruct the spatiotemporal patterns of tree establishment at multiple spatial scales (local and landscape). Increases in the elevational extent of treeline and tree density above timberline were reconstructed for each decade of the 20th century. The results highlight the importance of both broad-scale climate inputs and fine-scale site conditions in governing the rate and pattern of tree establishment in high-elevation treeline environments.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Physical geography, issn : 0272-3646, 2012, vol. 33, n°. 2, p. 129-145, nombre de pages : 17, Références bibliographiques : 3 p.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Abingdon, Taylor and Francis