Hofgaard, Annika; Dalen, Linda; Hytteborn, Håkan (2009): Birch sapling characteristics growing beyond the tree line in Norway and Sweden [dataset publication series]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.811218, Supplement to: Hofgaard, A et al. (2009): Tree recruitment above the treeline and potential for climate-driven treeline change. Journal of Vegetation Science, 20(6), 1133-1144, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2009.01114.x
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Abstract:
Questions: How do population structure and recruitment characteristics of Betula saplings beyond the treeline vary among climatic regions, and what is the potential for development into tree-sized individuals with interacting grazing pressure?
Location: Scandes Mountains. Methods: Sapling characteristics of Betula pubescens subsp. tortuosa, their topographic position above the treeline, growth habitat and evidence of recent grazing was investigated in three areas with a long continuous grazing history, along a latitudinal gradient (62-69°N).
Results: Saplings were common up to 100 m above the treeline in all areas. The northern areas were characterised by small (<30 cm) and young (mean 14 years old) saplings in exposed micro-topographic locations unfavourable to long-term survival. In the southern area, broad height (2-183 cm) and age (4-95 years; mean 32 years) distributions were found in sheltered locations. Age declined with altitude in all areas. Sapling growth rate varied within and between areas, and the age x height interaction was significant only in the southern area. Growth rates decreased from south to north and indicated a considerable time required to reach tree size under prevailing conditions.
Conclusions: Regional differences can be attributed to climatic differences, however, interacting biotic and abiotic factors such as micro-topography, climate and herbivory, mutually affect the characteristics of birch saplings. In view of the long time needed to reach tree size, the generally expected evident and fast treeline advance in response to climate warming may not be a likely short-term scenario. The sapling pool in the southern region possesses strongest potential for treeline advance.
Project(s):
Coverage:
Median Latitude: 66.155533 * Median Longitude: 16.888867 * South-bound Latitude: 62.250000 * West-bound Longitude: 9.583300 * North-bound Latitude: 69.750000 * East-bound Longitude: 23.916700
Comment:
Data extracted in the frame of a joint ICSTI/PANGAEA IPY effort, see http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.150150
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC-BY-3.0)
Size:
2 datasets
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Datasets listed in this publication series
- Hofgaard, A; Dalen, L; Hytteborn, H (2009): (Table 2) Biotic and abiotic characteristics of birch sapling (Betula pubescens tortuosa) occurrence above the tree line. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.811216
- Hofgaard, A; Dalen, L; Hytteborn, H (2009): (Table 1) Birch sapling (Betula pubescens tortuosa) occurrence and their altitudinal distribution above the tree line. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.811215