Document: MAR-3-40-16

Changes in arctic plant community composition under natural and experimental warming.

WALKER, M.* 1, W.GOULD 2 and A.BORNER 2

USFS, Fairbanks AK, USA 1
University of Alaska, Fairbanks AK, USA 2

Abstract:
Alaska's arctic region, the North Slope, has experienced abnormally high summer temperatures over the past two decades. We have been following changes to plant community composition over time under ambient conditions and under experimental warming and manipulation of winter snow regime and cover. Community change was documented with a point-quadrat technique and analyzed with a combination of ordination, t-tests, and Markovian analysis. Changes in natural communities subject to ambient conditions include an increase in canopy density and in cover of dominant shrubs and graminoids, and a corresponding decrease in certain nonvascular species. Experimentally warmed communities show similar, but more dramatic patterns.

Keywords: arctic plant communities, climate change

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This abstract is being presented at: 11:15 AM in session:
Oral Session #43: Plant Community Responses to Climate Change.