Multi-scale analysis of soil nutrients at alpine treeline in Glacier National Park

Auteur :
CAIRNS, D.M.

Description :
This paper examines the heterogeneity of the edaphic environment at alpine treeline to determine if differences exist in the nutrient status (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) of soils underlying tundra and arboreal vegetation. Data analysis is based on samples from 4 treeline locations, and is performed at 3 different scales : regional, inter-basin, and intra-basin. Each scale represents a different level of data aggregation. The greatest differences between krummholz and tundra soils nutrients occur ar the more xeric treeline sites. Heterogeneity of the edaphic environment has the potential to structure treeline response to climate change.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Physical geography, issn : 0272-3646, 1999, vol. 20, n°. 3, p. 256-271, Collation : Illustration, Références bibliographiques : 3 p.

Date :
1999

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