Little Ice Age and recent treeline fluctuations at the Columbia Icefield, Alberta
Journal Article
·
· Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America
OSTI ID:95822
- Univ. of Western Ontario, London (Canada)
Vegetation dynamics at two treeline sites (north- and south-facing) were reconstructed using tree-ring and age-structure studies. Trees, seedlings and snags were mapped in two, 30m x 275m plots running upslope from continuous forest to alpine tundra. The Athabasca Glacier advanced against the base of the south-facing slope ca. 1714 and in the 1840`s. Snags on this slope indicate that treeline was higher than present prior to ca. 1200 A.D. and between 1400-1700 A.D. Many trees died between 1650-1700 A.D. during the advance of the Athabasca Glacier. Tree establishment took place in the late 1700`s and the 1800`s as well as during periods of warmer climate in the 1940`s and 1960`s. Both Picea engelmannii and Abies lasiocarpa form treeline at this site. On the north-facing slope (8 km south) treeline dynamics are different. A. lasiocarpa dominates the vegetation and P. engelmannii is rare. There is no strong evidence of historical fluctuations of treeline at the north-facing site. Tree establishment is primarily due to expansion of tree clumps by layering at the north-facing site, whereas treeline expansion at the south-facing site is due to seedling establishment. At both sites tree establishment by seed appears to be limited to periods of warmer climate, whereas population expansion by layering occurs continuously.
- OSTI ID:
- 95822
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9507129--
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, Journal Name: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 76; ISSN BECLAG; ISSN 0012-9623
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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