Understanding the climate impacts on decadal vegetation change in northern Alaska

The Arctic is experiencing rapid climate change. This research documents changes to tundra vegetation near Atqasuk and Utqiaġvik, Alaska. At each location, 30 plots were sampled annually from 2010 to 2019 using a point frame. For every encounter, we recorded the height and classified it into eight g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arctic science 2022-09, Vol.8 (3), p.878-898
Main Authors: Harris, Jacob A., Hollister, Robert D., Botting, Timothy F., Tweedie, Craig E., Betway, Katlyn R., May, Jeremy L., Barrett, Robert T.S., Leibig, Jenny A., Christoffersen, Hana L., Vargas, Sergio A., Orejel, Mariana, Fuson, Tabatha L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accumulation
Aquatic plants
Boreal ecosystems
Bryophytes
Carbon
Carbon cycle
Climate change
Community structure
Decomposition
Emissions
Energy balance
Forbs
Greenhouse gases
Height
Lichens
Litter
Plant cover
Plants
Plants (botany)
Regions
Seasons
Shrubs
Soil moisture
Soil temperature
Species diversity
Taiga & tundra
Temperature
Tundra
Vegetation
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Summary:The Arctic is experiencing rapid climate change. This research documents changes to tundra vegetation near Atqasuk and Utqiaġvik, Alaska. At each location, 30 plots were sampled annually from 2010 to 2019 using a point frame. For every encounter, we recorded the height and classified it into eight groupings (deciduous shrubs, evergreen shrubs, forbs, graminoids, bryophytes, lichens, litter, and standing dead vegetation); for vascular plants we also identified the species. We found an increase in plant stature and cover over time, consistent with regional warming. Graminoid cover and height increased at both sites, with a 5-fold increase in cover in Atqasuk. At Atqasuk, the cover and height of shrubs and forbs increased. Species diversity decreased at both the sites. Year was generally the strongest predictor of vegetation change, suggesting a cumulative change over time; however, soil moisture and soil temperature were also predictors of vegetation change. We anticipate that plants in the region will continue to grow taller as the region warms, resulting in greater plant cover, especially of graminoids and shrubs. The increase in plant cover and accumulation of litter may negatively impact non-vascular plants. Continued changes in community structure will impact energy balance and carbon cycling and may have regional and global consequences.
ISSN:2368-7460
2368-7460
DOI:10.1139/as-2020-0050